Food Pantry in Cambridge, Massachusetts

A number of food banks, soup kitchens for hot meals and free emergency food pantries in Cambridge, Massachusetts distribute groceries to individuals or families who are in some form of an emergency situation.

There are also meals, free bags of food, personal toiletries and household goods for low to moderate income families from food pantries near you.

Distribution centers can include churches, non-profit organizations, community action agencies, and many other local charities as well as non-profits.

Salvation Army Food Pantry

The Salvation Army is dedicated to eliminating food insecurity.

The Salvation Army operates free local food banks around Cambridge, Massachusetts from almost all of their local social service centers. The charity organization is involved in feeding millions of families each year, with a large percentage of those assisted being children as well as the elderly.

We have located 1 Salvation Army Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

The Salvation Army - Cambridge

Services provided :

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Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 547-3400 to book your appointment.

Address :

402 Massachusetts Ave,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Church Food Pantry

A number of churches around Cambridge, Massachusetts have food pantries for those in their neighborhoods who are in need of food items.

Churches operate with food donations gathered and deliver to the food pantry nearest you by individuals using food drives.

Some churches also deliver food items to elderly who are unable to drive to a nearest community food pantry. Please contact your local church directly.

We have located 5 Church Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Christ Church Cambridge

The St. James Food Pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. We serve everyone that comes to the pantry for food assistance., regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size.

Please contact us for any further information.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 876-0200 to book your appointment.

Address :

[2 - 2] Garden St,
Cambridge, MA 02138.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tues: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
  • Wed: Closed
  • Thurs: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Fri: Closed
  • Sat: 09:00 AM - 11:00 AM
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Essex
  • Middlesex
  • Norfolk
  • Plymouth
  • Rockingham
  • Strafford
  • Suffolk

Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church

Project MANNA is a food distribution program located in the Massachusetts Avenue Baptist Church. Our food pantry provides free food to feed families and individuals in need. We supply groceries for residents that do not have enough food because they lack the resources to purchase it. We serve everyone that comes to the pantry for food assistance, regardless of their race, color, or religion. The amount of food given depends on household size.

Required Documents:

- State Issued ID

The food pantry is available on the third Saturday of each month (fourth Saturday of November). Please call for summer hours. Registration takes place from 7 AM - 10 AM.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 868-4853 to book your appointment.

Address :

146 Hampshire St,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: Closed
  • Tues: Closed
  • Wed: Closed
  • Thurs: Closed
  • Fri: Closed
  • Sat: 07:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Essex
  • Middlesex
  • Norfolk
  • Plymouth
  • Rockingham
  • Strafford
  • Suffolk

Union Baptist Church - Project Uplift

Project Uplift’s mission is to feed the the hungry and the homeless. It also serves to bring people together. We turn no one away Project Uplifts doors are open every Thursday, serving from 5:00PM – 6:00PM. PROJECTS: Feed people weekly; Distribute food baskets throughout the year; Distribute gifts

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 864-6885 to book your appointment.

Address :

874 Main St,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Cambridgeport Baptist Church - Harvest Food Pantry & Clothing Closet

The Harvest Food Pantry has been nurturing the physical and spiritual life of the community since 1989. Housed at the Cambridgeport Baptist Church, we serve individuals and families in need of food and clothing. The Harvest is open the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 9:00 to 11:00am (closed only for major holidays or severe weather). We distribute free grocery items including: dry goods, canned goods, bread, and fresh produce. Gently used clothing in good condition for minimal cost ($.25 to $1.00 per item; $5.00 limit per session). There are no income restrictions to visit the pantry, but a personal identification card is required at the time of check-in. Customers are welcome to come both Saturdays; please do not arrive before 9 a.m., as a lottery system is used for queuing.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 576-6779 to book your appointment.

Address :

459 Putnam Ave,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

St. Paul's AME Church Food Pantry

Hours of Operation: Wednesday 12:00 PM 2:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM 12:00 PM

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 661-1110 to book your appointment.

Address :

85 Bishop Richard Allen Dr,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Catholic Charities Food Pantry

Resources provided by the Catholic Charity organization focus on addressing food, holiday, and immigration needs.

Families of all religions, backgrounds, and cultures can contact Catholic Charity centers for help.

Catholic Charities in Cambridge, Massachusetts are open to families on a first-come, first-serve basis. The centers operate during normal business hours, and provide walk-ins with groceries, food boxes, and items to prepare a meal.

The food pantries are like grocery stores, allow clients the ability to choose the items they need from the groceries that are available on site.

First-time clients of the food pantry will need to apply, and this is done from a one-page application. An applicant will need to provide basic household member as well as demographic information.

We have located 0 Catholic Charities Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Helping Hands Food Pantry

Helping Hands is a faith-based 501(c)(3) food pantry operated around Cambridge, Massachusetts almost entirely by volunteers.

It provides a 7-day supply of groceries and personal care items free of charge to people in need, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Helping Hands is supported entirely by donations from individuals, service organizations, churches, and businesses in our community.

Find a local helping hands food pantry open near you.

We have located 1 Helping Hand Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

St. James's Episcopal Church - Helping Hand Food Pantry

Helping Hand Food Pantry provides groceries and referrals to individuals in need of assistance. We serve between 300 and 400 households each month. The pantry does not have a residency requirement on Thursdays or Saturdays, and serves people living throughout the Greater Boston area. People wishing to use the pantry must bring an MA Identification Card or License. T-passes and EBT cards will not be accepted. During our redevelopment, the Food Pantry will be held at Fresh Pond Apartments, 362 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge. The pantry is open during the following hours: Tuesdays: 4 to 6 PM (Cambridge, Somerville and Arlington residents only), Thursdays: 11 to 1 PM, Saturdays: 10 to 12 PM

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 876-4381 to book your appointment.

Address :

362 Rindge Ave,
Cambridge, MA 02140.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Mobile Food Pantry

The mobile food pantry program distributes food directly to families in communities around Cambridge, Massachusetts in need during large-scale one-day distributions.

A typical mobile pantry serves 200-250 families distributing up to 10,000 pounds of food. This past year over 6.6 million pounds were distributed through this program.

Mobile food pantries usually visit churches, community centers, schools, shopping centers, and other convenient locations. They usually go to areas where there aren't grocery stores or other food pantries.

Mobile Food Pantry Schedule 2024

Unlike traditional food pantries where you go to them, mobile pantry trucks come to you. Food banks sometimes have an online mobile food pantry schedule.

Mobile food pantry scheduled to visit a community once a week or once a month. There may be last-minute cancellations or changes so recheck the mobile food pantry schedule before you plan to go.

We have located 0 Mobile Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Model.Content.StateName which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry

The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry operates around Cambridge, Massachusetts much like a grocery store where people in need can choose their own food. It helps to enhance their personal dignity and reduces waste due to unwanted food items.

It also helps them to be proactive in addressing any underlying health issues. This is our model of choice for food pantries in the future.

We have located 0 St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Food Pantry Delivery Program

Food Pantry Delivery Program delivers food and other products once a month at twenty points in around Cambridge, Massachusetts area. This makes it just a bit easier for some of more remote rural agencies to receive their products. About 70% of members take advantage of the Food Pantry Delivery Program.

Food Pantry

We have located 7 Food Pantry locations in Cambridge, Massachusetts which provides a wide array of services. We have partnered so you can also check your eligibility.

Cambridge Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP)

The Council on Aging (COA) works to promote and safeguard the health and independence of Cambridge seniors over the age of 60. We arrange many necessary services and provide many meaningful social and recreational options that help enhance our senior’s lives.

Our two senior centers provide a variety of services and classes:

- senior food pantry
- counseling and support groups
- vision and blood pressure screening
- breakfast and lunch service
- men’s groups
- computer classes
- educational and recreational offerings

For more information please call: 617-349-6220

Services provided :

  • food pantry
  • prevent & treat
  • recreation
  • support network
  • support groups
  • skills & training
  • computer class
  • meals

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 349-6320 to book your appointment.

Address :

2050 Massachusetts Ave,
Cambridge, MA 02140.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Tues: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Wed: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Thurs: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Fri: 08:30 AM - 05:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

AIDS Action Committee of MA Inc. - Youth on Fire (YOF)

Youth on Fire (YOF), a program of AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, is a drop-in center for homeless and street - involved youth, ages 14-24, located in Harvard Square, Cambridge. Over 3,000 youth have benefitted from YOF since the program opened its doors in the Spring of 2000.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 661-2508 to book your appointment.

Address :

1555 Massachusetts Ave,
Cambridge, MA 02138.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

CEOC Food Pantry

The CEOC Food Pantry provides nutritious food for all Cambridge residents. CEOC offers breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, canned products such as tomato sauces, tuna, fruits and vegetables and frozen meats. Volunteers staff the pantry. Individuals and families may utilize the services of the food pantry once each month. Participants must show proof of Cambridge residency to receive food regularly. Emergency referrals are handled daily 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. No one is turned away without food or a referral to a pantry in his or her community. CEOC also coordinates the twelve-member citywide Cambridge Food Pantry Network. CEOC Food Pantry hours are: Monday & Wednesday 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Tuesday 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Thursday 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 868-2900 to book your appointment.

Address :

11 Inman St,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Margaret Fuller Neighborhood House - Food Pantry

Our Emergency Food Pantry provides food to 3,500 people each year - nearly three times the number of people served in 2006. Each month we give out over 20,000 lbs. of high quality, healthy food to more than 1200 individuals, families and children. Every person receives 9 meals when visiting the Pantry. We purchase low-cost food from the Boston Food Bank and receive donated fresh foods from Food for Free and Lovin Spoonfuls. Each person receives a variety of healthy vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein (meats, chicken, fish and tofu) and canned goods when visiting the pantry. Each year our pantry provides over 500 holiday baskets and feeds thousands of people each Thanksgiving. The pantry is open four times each week and relies on more than 30 volunteers to ensure the best available food reaches residents in need. Pantry Hours: Wednesdays 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Thursdays 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 547-4680 to book your appointment.

Address :

71 Cherry St,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

The Tuesday Meals Program

A program of First Parish in Cambridge, the mission of the Tuesday Meals Program is to offer warm hospitality and an evening meal in a safe, dignified environment to anyone in need of nourishment. In 1987, responding to a growing need for hunger relief programs, a coalition of Cambridge churches committed themselves to offering a meal to those in need every night of the week; First Parish in Cambridge was chosen to provide a meal on Tuesdays. What started as a group of First Parish members making a meal to serve 15 men and women on Tuesday evenings has evolved into a program serving 95 to 140 people each week with a number of professional staff and drawing on volunteers from all over the Greater Boston Area. We gladly welcome you to be a part of this continuing history. The Tuesday Meals Program (TMP) strives to: Approach our service as an extension of the mission of First Parish in Cambridge; Provide healthy, nourishing, delicious meals; Ensure that guests and volunteers are in a safe and welcoming environment; Uphold sanitation and health standards for food preparation and service; Solicit and respond to suggestions for improvement from guests and volunteers; Empower staff to make daily decisions within the scope of their job responsibilities; Recognize program and financial oversight from the TMP Advisory Group.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.

Address :

3 Church St,
Cambridge, MA 02138.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

East End House Food Pantry

The East End House Food Pantry provides individuals and families in need with fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and dry goods, meats, and dairy products. Community members are welcome to come to the pantry two times per month. In order to address barriers to accessing the Food Pantry among elderly and disabled community members, East End House, in conjunction with CASCAP, holds monthly Free Farmer's Markets at Miller's River, Roosevelt Towers, and Harvard Place Housing Complexes in Cambridge. East End House brings fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and dry goods, meats, and dairy products to the residents in these buildings. A central part of our mission is strengthening the community fabric by providing relevant services for those who are struggling financially. As part of this effort we offer healthy and tasty foods that meet the nutritional needs of families and individuals in a respectful manner. A partnership with Pierce's Pantry allows East End House to offer gluten-free foods to those who need them. Increasing access for underserved groups is an important aspect of the program, which provides numerous supplemental services, including benefit screenings. The Food Pantry provides individuals and families in need with fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and dry goods, meats, and dairy products. Donations from Food for Free, the Greater Boston Food Bank, and numerous corporations and individuals make this possible. Community members are welcome to come to the pantry two times per month. We serve individuals and families in need in the Cambridge and greater Boston area with no residency restrictions. On your first visit, you will be required to fill out an intake form. Please bring your I.D. and a form of income verification. For income verification, we accept a paystub, a Medicare or Mass Health card, a DTA/EBT card, a referral, a benefit statement, or any other document that proves your income status. Lack of mobility and ability to carry groceries long distances prevents many elderly and disabled community members from using the Food Pantry. In order to decrease these barriers East End House, in conjunction with CASCAP, holds monthly Free Farmer's Markets at Miller's River, Roosevelt Towers, and Harvard Place Housing Complexes in Cambridge. These events are open to residents living in the housing units. We bring fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and dry goods, meats, and dairy products to the CASCAP-operated buildings. There is also entertainment at most Farmer's Markets. The Free Farmer's Markets are some of the most widely attended events at the housing complexes and provide residents with healthy and nutritious foods, as well as an opportunity to socialize with neighbors. Pantry Hours: Tuesday, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Friday, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (617) 876-4444 to book your appointment.

Address :

105 Spring St,
Cambridge, MA 02141.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Faith Kitchen

Faith Kitchen prepares and serves a free meal on the second and last Tuesday of each month. Some of the people who eat the food also help cook it, and all involved (cooks, cleaners, hosts, and guests) eat the meal together. Meals are served at 6:30 p.m. on the second and last Tuesdays of each month. Cooking starts around 5:30, and anyone can help. You don't have to sign up ahead of time.

Services provided :

  • food pantry

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call to book your appointment.

Address :

311 Broadway,
Cambridge, MA 02139.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

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Help Residents of Cities:

  • Cambridge

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Middlesex

Drive-thru Food Pantries

Since the start of the coronavirus, drive-thru food pantries have become the safest, most efficient way to provide food to our struggling neighbors.

Who can visit a drive-thru pantry?

Drive-thru pantries are open for anyone who needs help getting food. There are no eligibility criteria. Visitors do not need to provide any identification or income statements.

Only two piece of information is asked

  • You Zipcode, and
  • Number of people in their family.

You dont need to take appointment. Drive-thru pantries are first-come, first served so plan to arrive early.

How do drive-thru pantries actually work?

There are lot of volunteers help at Drive-thru food pantries. While not all drive-thru pantries operate in the same way, here�s how most work:

Staff and volunteers direct visitors to the parking area.

Visitors pull up to the pantry in their car and are usually guided into a clearly marked queue. As people move through the pantry, staff will continue to move the cars forward to get everyone through as quickly and safely as possible.

Checkin.

You are required to fill some information for Pantry's recording keeping.

Food is loaded into the cars.

Pre-packed bags of food, usually full of shelf-stable items like pasta, canned fruit and peanut butter, as well as fresh produce and meats are loaded by volunteers into the trunk of the car.

Pet Food Pantry

One in four pet owners who give up their pets to a shelter say it is because they cannot afford to care for them. Pet Food Pantries are designed to fill the void in the nation�s current assistance programs that exclude the purchase of food and supplies for family pets.

The Pet Food Pantry provides free pet food, for 3 months or less, to pet owners who cannot afford to feed their pets in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Who are eligible for Pet Food Pantry

Pet Food Pantry helps people who are:

  • All ages, races and marital status
  • Unemployed or underemployed
  • Retired, living on social security or other limited income
  • Physically or mentally disabled
  • Experiencing homelessness or housing instability

Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry

Show up early.

This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.

You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.

Remember all documentation.

Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.

This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.

It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.

Use several food banks.

Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.

For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.

Eligible for other programs?

Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.

They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.

Ask about extras.

If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.

Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.

Go on different days of the week.

Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.

Be polite to workers.

Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.

FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?

Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.

2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?

Specifically, food banks often need items like:

  • Peanut butter
  • Canned soup
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned vegetables
  • Pasta
  • Canned beans
  • Canned stew
  • Canned fish

3. Who can go to food pantry?

At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.

4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?

A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.

5. How does a food pantry work?

Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.