Helping Newton Neighbors who are Hungry

Over 1.1 million people in Massachusetts and 4,400 here in Newton use critical food resources from the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Due to the federal shut down, funding for those resources are very uncertain.

We are working closely with our three Newton food pantries ─ the Centre Street Food Pantry, Newton Food Pantry, and the Arabic Baptist Church Pantry ─ and wonderful partners to help people continue to have access to nutritious food and essential resources during this difficult time.

We ask for your help with a citywide Newton Food Drive.

Starting today, we can drop donations of non-perishable food or personal care items at locations across Newton (please check the hours of operation prior to dropping off) including:

Newton City Hall – 1000 Commonwealth Avenue

Newton Fire Stations:

• Fire Station 2 at 1750 Commonwealth Avenue
• Fire Station 3 at 31 Willow Street
• Fire Station 4 at 195 Crafts Street
• Fire Station 7 at 144 Elliot Street
• Fire Station 10 at 755 Dedham Street

Newton Free Library - 330 Homer Street

Newton Older Adult Services – 20 Hartford Street

Newton Police Department – 1321 Washington Street

Newton Resource Recovery Center – 115 Rumford Avenue

Many community partners are also assisting Newtonians during this time of food insecurity, and we can also drop off non-perishable food or personal care items at:

American Legion Post 440 – 295 California Street

Eastern Bank:

• 32 Langley Road
• 2060 Commonwealth Avenue

Family Access of Newton – 492 Waltham Street

John M. Boys & Girls Club - 675 Watertown Street

Village Bank:

• 307 Auburn Street, Auburndale
• 720 Beacon Street, Newton Centre
• 56 Winchester Street, Newton Highlands
• 332 Walnut Street, Newtonville
• 411 Watertown Street, Nonantum
• 89 Wyman Street, Waban
• 1369 Washington Street, West Newton

West Suburban YMCA

• 276 Church Street
• 135 Wells Avenue

Please, no glass bottles or jars. All items must be unopened and within the expiration date.

Items most needed by our Newton food pantries include:

• Cereal
• Mac and cheese
• Granola bars
• Hearty soups
• Coffee (instant and ground) and Tea
• Cooking oil
• Shelf stable non-dairy milk
• Diced/crushed tomatoes and tomato sauce
• Oatmeal
• Pasta
• Canned and dry beans
• Solid white tuna in water
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Adult incontinence products (unisex)
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Holiday items: all-purpose flour, sugar/brown sugar, cranberry sauce, stuffing mix

Financial Donations for our Newton Food Pantries

While food donations are welcome, our Newton food pantry leaders have let us know that financial donations have the most impact by giving them the ability to purchase in bulk at reduced prices as well as the flexibility to purchase what they need when they need it.

Some organizations that can use our financial help include:

• Arabic Baptist Food Pantry
• Centre Street Food Pantry
• Newton Food Pantry
• Newton Neighbors Helping Neighbors
• United Way (these donations will help residents across the state)

During this time, stress surrounding the uncertainty of access to food can impact one’s mental health and may increase the probability of substance misuse. For mental health resources click here and for substance use resources click here.

The situation at the federal level is fluid. The Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services is providing SNAP updates here.

Business Partners Helping Newtonians

A group of Charles River Chamber member restaurants will donate a portion of gift cards to Spoonfuls, Inc., a Newton-based nonprofit food recovery organization that rescues fresh, healthy food and delivers it directly to local pantries, shelters and community programs across Greater Boston and MetroWest from Nov. 1 through Nov. 26. Find a list of participating restaurants at charlesriverchamber.com.

Blacker's Bakeshop is setting up a Community Table outside of its bakery on 543 Commonwealth Avenue in Newton Centre with free bread for those who could use a little help after business hours on Sundays and Wednesdays. Come by, take what's needed, and share with others. Anyone who wants to support this effort can pay for a loaf of challah that will then be placed on the next Community Table. The first Community Table is this Sunday, Nov. 2. 

Help is Available

Are you being impacted by food insecurity? Resource Navigators in the City of Newton’s Health and Human Services Department (HHS) and the City of Newton’s Older Adult Services Department (OAS) can help. Adults under 60 can contact HHS at 617-796-1420 or health@newtonma.gov. Adults 60 and older can contact OAS at 617-796-1660.