Upcoming Closures!
The Newton Food Pantry will be closed on Wednesday, April 29 and Thursday, April 30.
How to Get Food
You must be a Newton resident or a student currently registered at a college/university located in Newton to shop at the Newton Food Pantry. All clients are welcome to shop twice per month.
To register, please complete a New Client Form online or pick up a form at the Newton Food Pantry during our hours of operation. Please bring proof of Newton residency when you come to shop for the first time. For proof of residency, you may show any one of the following: tax bill, utility bill, phone bill, cable bill, bank statement, rental agreement or mortgage statement. Residency documentation must be recent (within the past 2–3 months) and include your name and address. Driver’s licenses and car registrations are not accepted. Newton-based college students should bring a valid school ID and proof of current enrollment when coming to the Newton Food Pantry for the first time.
Individuals with physical or mental health conditions that prohibit them from leaving their homes may qualify for home delivery. To inquire, select “Client Help” on our Contact page or call 617-796-1233.
What You Get
The Newton Food Pantry is a choice pantry, offering every client the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of shelf-stable items, fresh produce, dairy, proteins/fish, culturally relevant foods and vital personal care products. Clients receive up to a week’s supply of nutritionally balanced food during each visit and all food and personal care items are free of charge.
Twice each month, clients can select a 5-day supply of nutritionally balanced food, including dry goods, produce, dairy, proteins, vital personal care products and culturally relevant foods.
Where to Get Food
The Newton Food Pantry is located in the basement of Newton City Hall (1000 Commonwealth Avenue). To find our pantry, look for the Newton Food Pantry sign on the side of City Hall facing Homer Street. Enter through the door next to the sign, and a volunteer will greet you and direct you to our shopping space. Clients should bring their own grocery bags.
Clients should park on Homer Street or on Commonwealth Avenue. They can pull their cars up to the War Memorial Circle for loading after shopping. Volunteers will be available to help clients load bags into their cars.
City Hall is accessible from MBTA Bus #59.
When to Get Food
All clients are welcome to shop at the Newton Food Pantry twice per month.
The Newton Food Pantry is open on Wednesdays by appointment from 12pm to 3pm, and for walk-in hours from 3pm to 7pm.
In addition, the Newton Food Pantry is open Thursdays by appointment only from 10am to 1pm. There are NO walk-in hours on Thursdays.
- Walk-in clients are welcome to shop from 3pm to 7pm on any two Wednesdays per month. Walk-in clients do not need to sign up in advance. They wait to enter the pantry and shop in the order of their arrival.
- Clients who have made appointments on Wednesdays between 12pm and 3pm or on Thursdays between 10am and 1pm are welcome to shop at their assigned day and time any two weeks each month.
- Clients with appointments do not need to tell us when they will visit the pantry. If they are unable to come on their assigned appointment day and time, they are welcome to shop during walk-in hours on Wednesdays.
If you would like to add your name to the appointment list or if you need to change or cancel your appointment time, please select “Appointment Information” on our Contact page or call 617-796-1233.
If the Newton Public Schools are closed due to bad weather, the Newton Food Pantry will also be closed. Check local media for school closing information. We will also announce closings on the homepage of our website. Please check our website before leaving home.
I like walking around the Newton Food Pantry and going shopping for myself, picking out what I need. It’s so much better than having people just toss some things in a bag for you, things you might not need or eat.