In response to rising needs of the community, the Newton Food Pantry (NFP) has expanded its hours of service to include Thursdays, 10AM-1PM, by appointment only. Like many other non-profits in the city, the NFP serves as a safety net for individuals and families whose needs are not otherwise met. Founded in 1983, the NFP is a non-profit, supported by donations and receiving no local, state, or federal funding. The organization was entirely volunteer-run until it hired its first staff member in 2022 and its second in 2023.
NFP reports 2021 U.S. Census figures showing that more than 3,600 of Newton residents live in poverty. Since 2019, the NFP has doubled the number of households it serves since 2019 — with 55% of total households identifying as people of color, 60% of total households speaking a language other than English, 26% of clients age 65 or older, and 23% children under 18 years old.
The pantry is open to Newton residents and Newton-based college students and staff. In addition to providing bagged groceries, kids’ bags twice monthly to all clients with children, and personal care items, NFP also is open for bi-monthly choice shopping at the pantry so clients can choose what items they need and want (including a diverse selection of culturally relevant food choices), thereby reducing waste. NFP distributed 71,500 bags to 910 households in the most recent fiscal year. It delivers to seven Newton Housing Authority sites, provides home-delivery service to those medically homebound, stocks and runs the Newton Community Freedge, and re-stocks Lasell University’s Dry Pantry. NFP also collaborates with other food pantries and social service providers include delivery of food to support Family Access of Newton.
The NFP is open on Wednesdays, 12PM-3PM by appointment plus walk-in hours 3PM-7PM. This is now expanded to include Thursdays by appointment only, 10AM – 1PM to serve more people and meet them where they are.
NFP quotes one food pantry client, Ilita, saying, “Having an appointment on Thursday saves me so much time and lets me shop before I pick up my son from school. Thank you so much for opening on Thursdays!”
