Powering Our Pantry

The Newton Food Pantry is thrilled to share that we were recently awarded a major state grant that will strengthen our organization’s long-term sustainability.

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources’ Low-Income Services Solar Program (LISSP) awarded the Newton Food Pantry nearly $400,000 to support the installation of a rooftop solar array and an battery storage system at our new food pantry in Auburndale. This investment will reduce our electricity expenses by an estimated $20,000 annually. Those savings will be redirected toward what matters most: helping even more low-income Newton residents access fresh and nutritious foods.

“The solar array and battery will help the Newton Food Pantry reduce its electricity costs by using the output of the solar during the day and using the battery when the sun goes down,” says Newton Food Pantry board member Cynthia Arcate, who helped spearhead this effort. “The battery will also provide valuable back-up to the building, particularly our freezer and refrigerators during outages.”

LISSP is designed to help social service nonprofit organizations reduce operating costs and strengthen resilience, particularly in “environmental justice” communities. By investing in clean, locally generated energy, the program enables organizations like the Newton Food Pantry to lower overhead expenses while contributing to statewide efforts to combat climate change and improve air quality.

This investment comes at a particularly meaningful time for the Newton Food Pantry. Our new building, which is scheduled to open in late spring, was designed with efficiency and sustainability in mind. The addition of solar energy and battery storage will further enhance our ability to operate reliably and cost-effectively — all in service to Newton residents struggling with food insecurity.