The Needham Community Council Food Pantry has been in existence for more than twenty five years. We serve close to 200 families in Needham each month. Clients of the Food Pantry receive food, paper goods, bread and pastry. Food is generously donated by Roche Bros., Sudbury Farms, Trader Joe's, Needham's houses of worship, Needham elementary schools, Boy Scouts and Postal Workers' food drives, social organizations, local companies, and individuals. The Needham Community Council is also a member of the Greater Boston Food Bank. The Food Pantry program is based on income eligibility. Eligibility is determined by the Needham Housing Authority or the Needham Board of Health. Qualification Requirements: You must live in Needham; You must meet our income eligibility requirements. In general, if you meet the fuel assistance guidelines you will be eligible to use the Food Pantry. We do make exceptions for unusual circumstances. Call us.; You must have a written letter of referral from either the Needham Housing Authority if you live in Public Housing or the Needham Board of Health. At some point, you may need to be recertified. We will send you a notification and all the necessary forms if this is required. Upon qualifying, we welcome you to come in once every calendar month for your regular supply of groceries. If your last name begins with A-K: You are invited to come in the 1st or 2nd weeks of the month to pick up your groceries. If your last name begins with L-Z: You are invited to come in the 3rd or 4th weeks of the month to pick up your groceries. We encourage you to pick up your groceries after 11 a.m. to avoid the crowd. Come in any Monday or Wednesday for fresh or frozen bread and pastry, depending on availability.
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 (781) 444-2415 to book your appointment.
Address :
570 Hillside Ave,
Needham, MA 02494.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Needham
Help Residents of Counties:
- Norfolk
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (781) 444-2415 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
Food Pantry in Near By City
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.