The Brookline Food Pantry is open to anyone with a current Brookline address who needs food assistance. New clients must have a Brookline address — the pantry is not currently accepting clients from neighboring towns. No advance sign-up is needed. Just come during pantry hours and check in at the door.
For your first visit, bring a valid ID that shows your current Brookline address, or a piece of mail with your name and Brookline address on it. After your first visit, you'll be issued a Brookline Food Pantry ID card to use when you check in on future trips.
Clients can visit one of the pantry locations once per week.
Every visit, you'll receive three bags: one with refrigerator and freezer items, one with fresh perishable foods like fruits and vegetables, and one with nonperishable staples like rice, cereals, and canned goods. There's also a swap table where you can trade out items that don't work for your household.
The pantry provides a mix of fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable groceries. Each visit includes fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, along with dairy items like milk and eggs. The freezer and refrigerator bag can also include meat and other proteins. The nonperishable bag is stocked with staples like rice, cereals, and canned goods. The pantry also keeps lentils, beans, and other vegetable protein options on hand. Diapers are available as well.
When you arrive, line up in the designated area outside. Volunteers will check you in at the front of the line. First-time visitors just need to give their name and address. Returning clients should have their Brookline Food Pantry ID card ready. You'll receive your pre-packed bags at check-in.
The pantry offers free home delivery to Brookline residents who can't visit in person due to a disability, age-related health risk, being immunocompromised, or another medical condition. A referral from a local social service agency is helpful but not required. The pantry can't guarantee delivery for every request, but will do their best based on their schedule. Reach out through the contact page to ask about availability.
The pantry also runs Brookline Thrives, a program that provides free weekend food bags for students.
The United Parish building, where this pantry is located, has a thrift store that's open on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
The pantry welcomes monetary donations online at brooklinefoodpantry.networkforgood.com or by mailing a check to Brookline Food Pantry, PO Box 45, Brookline, MA 02446. You can also donate stocks and other securities through their website. Food donations are accepted at the United Parish location (15 Marion Street entrance) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM. Items most needed include diapers (sizes 5, 6, and toddler pull-ups), toilet paper, paper towels, coffee, oil, sugar, flour, salt, snacks for kids, and $25 grocery store gift cards from Trader Joe's, Stop & Shop, or Star Market. Call 617-800-5339 or email brooklinefoodpantry@gmail.com with questions.
Volunteers must be at least 14 years old. To sign up, fill out the form at brooklinefoodpantry.org/volunteer-form. Roles include food transport between pantry locations, grocery delivery to homebound clients, bag packing, passing out food during distribution, and unloading truck deliveries. For questions, call 617-800-5339. Companies interested in a corporate volunteer day (teams of 5 to 10 people for a two-hour shift) can email arielle@brooklinefoodpantry.org.
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Suggest an updateThe Brookline Food Pantry is open to anyone with a current Brookline address who needs food assistance. As of November 2021, all new clients must have a Brookline address.
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