A full-service food pantry that provides food to residents of the greater Holyoke area. Clients must be referred by letter and client verification form. Referral agencies include, DTA, VOC, WIC Office, Public and Private Schools, Churches, Walking with Christ Ministry, New England Farm Workers Council, shelter providers and more. For a complete list of referral sources please call (413) 538-8026 or (413) 536-9109 X 11. We are always looking for additional partners, please give us a call if your Holyoke agency wishes to be a referral source. In the heart of the Broderick House, our food pantry, known as Margaret’s Pantry, can be found. It began as a one room pantry on the first floor of the Broderick House, and in 1990 expanded to three rooms. This expansion has enabled the program to not only provide more food to the community, but also control the duplication of services. Presently the pantry provides food to upward of 150 families each month. Each person is given three balanced meals per day for a two day period. On average, approx. 5,800 individuals are provided with food on an annual basis, which calculates to 52,000 meals being distributed to the needy of the community. Individuals and families can access the food pantry once a month. Food drives are held throughout the year to supplement our supply. Major food drives include the Postal Workers Food drive, and collections from the City of Holyoke. Additional food is donated by Rachel’s Table, area restaurants, supermarkets, church groups, etc. Food is also purchased via the Western Mass Food Bank. The Pantry is named after Sr. Margaret McCleary, SP, the foundress of our ministry. Providence Ministries programs are funded in part by the Annual Catholic Appeal, Office of Community Development, FEMA, WestMass Eldercare and our generous community.
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 (413) 538-8026 to book your appointment.
Address :
56 Cabot St,
Holyoke, MA 01040.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
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Help Residents of Cities:
- Holyoke
Help Residents of Counties:
- Hampden
Appointments
You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.
For the full set of services, you can call (413) 538-8026 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.