The Friday Night Supper Program (The FNSP) was co-founded in 1984 by Arlington Street Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, and Dignity Boston, a congregation of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans-gendered Catholics. Arlington Street Church donates space and utilities for the program and Dignity Boston continues to show their support by providing volunteers. The FNSP has been an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation since 1994. The FNSP benefits from strong, long-term relationships with other hunger-relief organizations, including The Greater Boston Food Bank and Project Bread. The FNSP is also supported by partnerships with First Church in Boston and Old South Church in Boston. The Friday Night Supper Program is a long-time member of the network of organizations that make up our community’s continuum of emergency food services for people who are homeless and on extremely low income. Our dedicated team of volunteers serve approximately 150 meals every Friday evening. As one of our long-time volunteers proudly stated to a new recruit, “nobody has to go hungry in Boston.†Each guest is served a nutritious three course meal consisting of soup, dinner and dessert at their table by our courteous volunteer servers. The consistency of service and thoughtful attention to detail, along with the overall nutritional value of our meals, served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere, provides a sense of security, abundance and choice to members of the community who have limited access to these very basic essentials. Our Guest Clothing Closet provides clothing, shoes, toiletries and other essential items to our guests following meal service. Guest survey responses consistently report continued satisfaction with the quality of our meal and an appreciation for the sense of community our guests find at the FNSP. We also provide a meaningful and rewarding experience for hundreds of volunteers every year. Our meal is served out of the basement of the Arlington Street Church in Boston every Friday between the hours of 5:00pm-7:00pm. Guests can begin to line up in the public alley off Arlington Street at 4:30pm.
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) 536-7050 to book your appointment.
Address :
351 Boylston St,
Boston, MA 02116.
Get Directions
Hours Of Operations :
- Mon:
- Tues:
- Wed:
- Thurs:
- Fri:
- Sat:
- Sun:
Help Residents of Cities:
- Boston
Help Residents of Counties:
- Suffolk
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) 536-7050 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.
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.