Help for the hungry in Newton

Have you heard of “the Freedge,” a source of free food for anyone and everyone? Freedges are springing up in many communities. Our Newton Community Freedge is located at 420 Watertown Street on the property of Central Drapery and Dry Cleaning, which allows use of its parking lot for the Freedge shed and for cars stopping to donate to — or to take from — the Freedge. The Freedge shed contains a refrigerator on the right side and a pantry on the left. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round. It is managed by the Newton Food Pantry, and teams of volunteers keep it clean and organized. Food is donated by many partners, including restaurants and grocery stores, as well as by individuals and religious organizations.

The goal of the Freedge is for food to be available whenever it is needed. Unfortunately, the demand is so great that the supply sometimes gets low — until supporting organizations and individual citizens fill it up again. One time last week, the Freedge was low on food when a donor arrived in the rain with bags of groceries. As the donor completed the drop-off, an older man who had been standing in the rain approached, dropped his open umbrella to the ground, and said “thank you,” “thank you,” over and over as he packed his blue bag with food. The man then picked up his umbrella and slowly trudged away. That donation had an immediate impact, and the Freedge relies on continued donations to meet these needs. The Freedge web page has guidelines for donations and makes recommendations for what food is most needed.

“The Newton Community Freedge was established as an additional food resource in Newton by the Newton Food Pantry in an effort to offer another opportunity for people to obtain food on their own terms — 24/7, anonymously, with dignity, compassion, and respect. The Newton Food Pantry continues to center our work on those we serve and find innovative ways to remove barriers to food access,” said Dr. Regina Wu, president, Newton Food Pantry.

Three food pantries in Newton stand ready to help those who are experiencing hunger or food insecurity:

The Newton Food Pantry (1000 Commonwealth Avenue at City Hall; 617-796-1233) was founded in 1983 and is based primarily on donations and volunteers. Newton Food Pantry shoppers may shop by appointment on Wednesdays 12PM-3PM or on a walk-in basis 3PM-7PM. They may shop twice a month for five days of food each time.

Those coming to the Newton Food Pantry will find fresh produce, canned goods, protein, dry goods, and vital personal care items. Each month, the Newton Food Pantry provides 4000 bags loaded with a 10-day supply of food and personal items to 1800 Newton residents. Four months ago, it hired its first pantry manager. Volunteers unload the trucks, stock the shelves, help the shoppers, pack up food for home bound residents, deliver food to certain families, and make snack packs for kids. The Food Pantry receives no money from city, state or federal government. Donations are gladly accepted and much needed.

The Centre Street Food Pantry (11 Homer Street; 617-340-0554) serves Newton and surrounding towns. Food is distributed on Tuesdays, 2:30PM-5:30PM (with 1PM-2PM dedicated to seniors) and on the first Saturday of each month (11:30AM-2PM). 

Since 2020, the Centre Street Food Pantry has seen an 82% increase in the number of households it serves, which now stands at roughly 1000 households every month. It has already distributed over 800,000 pounds of fresh produce, meat, cheese, eggs, bread, and meat staples. Food prices have risen at least 12% over last year, which means that more people are struggling to consistently provide food for their families. The food pantry too must pay more for food, in addition to providing food to more residents.

Donations are needed and happily accepted. Board Member Risa Shames remarked, “We are grateful for the kindness and generosity of our community and the dedication of our volunteers who show up outside at our curbside pantry, week after week, and month after month. We couldn’t do it without them.”

The Arabic Baptist Church food and clothing pantry (187 Church Street, Newton Corner; 617-723-9766 or 508-561-4319) serves approximately 100 families in Newton. Food shopping is available 10AM-1PM on 2nd & 4th Fridays in January-October and the 1st & 3rd Fridays in November-December. Prayers and encouragement are also offered. This pantry is the only one in Newton to offer clothing. 

The pantry and clothing sheds are funded by individual donations and by the church, which is part of the Baptist Convention of New England. Donations are greatly needed and gratefully accepted. Checks may be sent to the church at 187 Church Street, Newton, MA 02458. [UPDATE: Newton Neighbors is hosting a food drive for the Arabic Baptist Church food pantry through December 15.]

“Your support and help are so valuable and very important for our food and clothing pantry. We are so appreciative to you. May God bless you richly,” added Elder Samy Ibrahim.

Neither the Freedge or the food pantries are able — or intended –to provide all the food a family needs. The Freedge can be viewed as a supplement to the food pantries, which are a supplement to what families purchase themselves. In Newton as elsewhere, there are people who are really struggling to put food on the table. At least 1.8 million people in Massachusetts — or 32 percent of the state’s adult population — are food-insecure, according to a new survey from the Greater Boston Food Bank. This burden lies most heavily on Black and Latinx communities and families with children.

Gifts to Newton’s food pantries can be made by cash donations, by purchasing on Amazon with free delivery, and by bringing food, necessities and small gifts to the pantries. These organizations are dedicated to ensuring that no one should go to bed hungry in this wealthy city.