On Monday, the Trump administration told a federal judge in Rhode Island that it will tap contingency funds to make partial food assistance payments for 42 million low-income and disabled people across the nation this month. In Massachusetts, roughly 1 in 3 households is food insecure, and many will turn to food pantries to bridge the gaps. These places need support from those who can spare it.
Below is a list of food pantry resources within the Route 128 area. Many pantries appreciate food donations; others prefer monetary donations. Contact your local pantry to determine current needs, and remember: Never donate anything you wouldn't eat yourself.
Andover
People's Pantry, 190 Academy Road, 978-687-7948, www.peoplesfoodpantry.org
Arlington
Arlington EATS, 117 Broadway, 39-707-6757, www.arlingtoneats.org
Bedford
Bedford Community Table Pantry, 12 Mudge Way, 781-275-7727, www.bedfordfoodpantry.org
Belmont
Belmont Food Pantry, 455 Concord Ave., www.belmontfoodpantry.org
Braintree
Braintree SDA Food Pantry, 250 Washington St., 617-657-3204, www.braintreesda.org
Holidays/Friends Pantry, 46 Lincoln St., 781-848-2124
Brookline
Brookline Emergency Food Pantry, 15 Marion St., brooklinefoodpantry.org
Burlington
PHP DBA Burlington Food Pantry, 21 Murray Ave., 781-270-6625, www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org
Cambridge
St. James Episcopal/Helping Hand Pantry, 1991 Massachusetts Ave., 617-876-4381, www.stjames-cambridge.org/helping-hand-food-pantry
Canton
Canton Area Helpline, 960-R Washington St., 781-828-6666, www.cantonmahelpline.org/food-pantry
Chelsea
St. Luke's-San Lucas Food Pantry & Soup Kitchen, 201 Washington Ave., 617-884-4278, www.lukelucas.org
La Colaborativa, 63 Sixth St., Chelsea, www.la-colaborativa.org
Dedham
Dedham Food Pantry, 600 Washington St., www.dedhamfoodpantry.org
Everett
Great Commission Food Pantry, 500 Broadway, 617-359-9307
Lynn
My Brother's Table, 98 Willow St., 781-595-3224, www.mybrotherstable.org
Malden
Bread of Life Food Pantry, 54 Eastern Ave., www.breadoflifemalden.org
Medford
Hearts of Life, 98 George P. Hassett Dr., 617-625-1020, www.heartsoflife.org
Mystic Community Market, 291 Mystic Ave., Medford; 617-629-5120, www.mv-ymca.org/food-security/mystic-community-market
Melrose
First Baptist Church/Pantry of Hope, 561 Main St., Melrose, 781-665-4470, www.melrosefbc.org/pantry-of-hope
Milton
Milton Community Food Pantry, 158 Blue Hills Parkway, 617-549-4175, www.umcparkway.org/food-pantry
Needham
Needham Community Council Food Pantry, 570 Hillside Ave., 781-444-2415, www.needhamcouncil.org/food-pantry
Newton
Newton Food Pantry, 1000 Commonwealth Ave.,617-796-1233, www.newtonfoodpantry.org/get-help/
Centre Street Food Pantry, 11 Homer St., 617-340-9554, www.centrestfoodpantry.org
Norwood
Norwood Food Pantry, 150 Chapel St.,781-291-3663, www.norwoodpantry.org
Peabody
Haven From Hunger, 71 Wallis St., 978-531-1530, www.citizensinn.org/haven-from-hunger
Quincy
South Shore YMCA, 366 Palmer St., www.ssymca.org/germantown-neighborhood-center-food-pantry
Reading
RCA/Reading Food Pantry, 6 Salem St., 781-944-8486, www.readingfoodpantry.org
Salem
The Market by Salem Pantry, 47 Leavitt St., 978-552-3954, www.thesalempantry.org
Somerville
Elizabeth Peabody House Food Pantry, 277 Broadway, 617-623-5510, www.teph.org
Stoneham
First Church Stoneham Food Pantry, 1 Church St., 781-438-0097, www.firstchurchstonehampantry.org
Wakefield
Wakefield Food Pantry, 467 Main St., 781-245-2510, www.wakefieldfoodpantry.org
Waltham
MHSA/Bristol Lodge Pantry,750 Main St., Waltham, 781-899-2099, www.mhsainc.org/programs/nutrition/
Salvation Army/Waltham Pantry & Meals Program, 33 Myrtle St., 781-894-0413, www.salvationarmyma.org/waltham
Watertown
WatertownUSCC/St. Patrick's Food Pantry, 770 Mount Auburn St., 617-926-9680, www.watertown-ma.gov/1566/Food-Access
Watertown Food Pantry, 80 Mount Auburn St., 617-972-6490
Winchester-Woburn
SVDP St. Charles Woburn, 8 Summer St., 781-933-0300, www.svdpwoburn.org
Anchor Baptist Church Pantry, 29A Montvale Ave., 781-932-0765, www.anchorbaptistwoburn.com/weekly_food_bank
Statewide, the Greater Boston Food Bank (617-427-5200) and Project Bread (617-723-5000) offer donation and support opportunities, as well as resources for food assistance.
Looking for other ways to offer your neighbors a helping hand? Consider volunteering your time or running a food drive. Ideas for helping your community can be found here.