The Preventive Food Pantry at Boston Medical Center serves low-income BMC patients who have special nutritional needs. You can visit if you've been screened and referred by your BMC primary care provider, who writes a "prescription" for supplemental foods to support your health. The pantry often helps patients living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, or heart disease.
Ask your BMC primary care provider to refer you. Your doctor will complete a referral form through the Epic system and print you a "Boston Medical Center, Nutrition Resource Center, Referral Form" to bring to the pantry. Call the pantry at 617.414.3834 or 617.414.5263 if you have questions.
Bring the printed Referral Form your BMC provider gives you.
Families can come once every two weeks, up to a maximum of twice per month.
Each visit provides three to four days' worth of food for your household. The pantry manager is a registered Dietetic Technician who helps match foods to your dietary needs as prescribed by your doctor. Staff members are fluent in four languages, making it easier for refugee and immigrant patients to get the help they need.
The pantry provides fresh and shelf-stable foods year-round. Fresh produce includes items like beets, cabbage, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables. Meat is a key part of each visit, with options such as ground beef, ground turkey, and fish. Canned goods like tuna are also available. A special focus of the pantry is providing perishable items like fresh produce and meats that can be too costly for low-income families to buy on their own.
You can donate to Boston Medical Center online through the BMC Office of Development. To learn more about giving, email philanthropy@bmc.org or call the Office of Development at 617.638.8990.
BMC welcomes volunteers to help with its many programs, including the food pantry. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to commit 3 hours a week for 6 to 12 months. To apply, complete an application on the Volunteer Services website and attend a screening call. If selected, you'll complete health clearance requirements, a criminal background check, educational modules, and an in-person orientation. For more information, contact Volunteer Services at 617.414.5122 or volunteer.services@bmc.org.
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