Double Your Donation June: Let’s Match $40K in Celebration of 40 Years of Service

Let’s Match $40K in Celebration of 40 Years of Service

Thanks to the generosity of a long-time Newton Food Pantry supporter, any donation made during the month of June will be matched up to $40,000 in honor of 40 years of service to our community.

The Newton Food Pantry was founded in 1983 by Jackie Colby with the goal of feeding hungry neighbors. That is still our mission, but a few things have changed in the past 40 years that require your financial support.

• In 1983, we served about 25 clients total. Today we serve over 2,000 clients per year, with over 11,000 visits/deliveries in 2022.

• In 1983, only shelf-stable items were offered to clients one day per month. Today we offer shelf-stable items, fresh produce, meat, dairy, culturally-relevant food, Kids’ Bags and personal care items twice per month. 

•  In 1983, about 7 volunteers served weekly. Today an average of 90 volunteers spend 180+ hours each week on operations alone, plus over 30 board members and volunteer leaders.

• In 1983, there were no inventory partners. Food was all in-kind donations by individuals. Today we have 8 inventory partners for food purchasing and 11 partners who donate food on a weekly basis — all delivering more than 8,500 pounds of food per week.

• In 1983, there was no operating budget. Shelf-stable donations, volunteers and donated space meant no expenses. Today our annual operating budget is over $760,000 with over 69% spent on purchasing food.

• In 1983, we only served clients at our brick and mortar pantry space. Today we support off-campus initiatives including the Newton Community freedge and the Lasell Dry Pantry.

Forty years has brought about a lot of growth and positive change at the Newton Food Pantry. Unfortunately, food insecurity has become more prevalent in Newton over the past 40 years, especially since the pandemic, the rise in food costs and the recent cancellation of the COVID Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. In fact, March 2023 was our busiest month ever with 1,109 visits/deliveries to 628 households and 1,408 individuals.

Food costs are soaring for everyone, but with the help of our inventory partners, the $80,000 we’ll raise this June will help cover the costs of over 1,600 pantry visits or home deliveries, feeding 600+ families for one and a half months!

Your contribution can change the lives of families struggling with food insecurity.

• Your gift of $100 will feed 1 household for 1 month 
• Your gift of $150 will feed 1 household for 1 1/2 months
• Your gift of $200 will feed 1 household for 2 months

Help us continue serving our neighbors with dignity, compassion and respect for another 40 years. Every donation will help your neighbors in need and will have DOUBLE the impact this month. DONATE today!