Upcoming Closures!
The Newton Food Pantry will be closed on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30.
For David, the path to the Newton Food Pantry started in Nonantum.
The 60-year-old Newton resident first discovered the Newton Food Pantry through our community freedge, a 24/7 publicly accessible refrigerator and dry pantry located in the parking lot of Central Drycleaning on Watertown Street. The Newton Food Pantry created the freedge four years ago and works with 30 different community partners — including restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries and others — to stock it with quality food multiple times a day, seven days a week.
“Some days it’s a little hectic and crowded at the freedge,” says David, who asked that his last name not be used for privacy reasons. “There’s less to be had there, but you can sometimes get good things from restaurants and stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods.”
Like hundreds of other area residents, David uses the freedge for grab-and-go items. But he also shops regularly at the Newton Food Pantry, which offers a full choice-shopping experience.
“The produce [at the Newton Food Pantry] is really good, the frozen fish is great, and the meat, too,” he says. “The eggs have been great to get; groceries are so expensive these days!”
David has two adult children and lives alone on a tight budget. He says he’s grateful for the Newton Food Pantry’s accessibility and the variety of products we offer. Clients like David can shop any two Wednesdays per month (walk-in hours are 3-7 p.m.) and select a week’s worth of groceries and personal-care items based on their household size and preferences — something David finds both convenient and meaningful.
“All it takes is signing up,” he says. “It’s worth the effort to take the time to get some food, some really good food — fresh fruit and vegetables, dairy, bread — especially if you’re on a budget. In these times, it’s worth it and really needed.”
David’s experience is a powerful reminder of why the Newton Food Pantry continues to expand its reach through both in-person services and off-site initiatives like the freedge. We are committed to meeting neighbors where they are and ensuring everyone in Newton has access to healthy, nutritious food.