Food Resources

Do you or someone you care about need food? The organizations and programs summarized here can help. For the most accurate details, please contact them directly.

Area Food Pantries

Montachusett Opportunity Council

(978) 342-8617

What they do:
MOC’s Food Pantry provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families facing hunger. Food programs include: Emergency Food Assistance which provides food on a monthly basis to low-income residents; a Holiday Food Basket Program which provides baskets containing turkeys, canned foods, and other donations to families at Thanksgiving and Christmastime; and a Summer Feeding Program which provides nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks to children under 18 years living in Fitchburg’s Green Acres and Meadow Brook Village neighborhoods.

Salvation Army Corps & Comm

(978) 342-3300

What they do:
The Fitchburg location provides Christmas and Thanksgiving assistance, emergency assistance for disaster victims, food pantry, fuel assistance (Good Neighbor Fund, December-April), tutoring, youth enrichment a music ministry, and many other services.

Catholic Charities

(978) 840-0696

What they do:
Catholic Charities provides case management, food pantry service, clothing assistance, utility bill assistance, budgeting assistance, holiday food donations, holiday gifts and toys and information and referral services. Additionally, Catholic Charities provides homecare services to the Northern Worcester Country population.

Spanish American Center

(978) 534-3145

What they do:
The Leominster Spanish American Center offers a soup kitchen two nights a week, as well as breakfast a few mornings each week at various locations. They also have many other services in both Spanish and English.

Townsend Ecumenical Outreach

(978) 597-2209

What they do:
T.E.O. holds a monthly food distribution for Townsend residents and parishioners of Townsend churches who have completed a short application and provided evidence of financial need and official residence. The applications are reviewed by the committee (name and address withheld) and upon acceptance, a membership card is issued. Food Distributions are held on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 82 Bayberry Hill Rd. Food supplies are placed on tables and participants "shop" for items they need.

Gardner Community Action

(978) 632-8700

What they do:
The Gardner CAC provides meals several days each week for those who qualify for their food assistance program. They also have Senior food assistance programs, emergency assistance, and fuel assistance.

Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc.

(978) 632-9601

What they do:
The Montachusett Veterans Outreach Center, Inc. provides food assistance to Veterans, their family, and dependents. They also offer a variety of additional services for Veterans, including career counseling, Wellness Programs, and case management.

Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry

(978) 772-4627

What they do:
Loaves & Fishes' mission is to provide nutritious food, in an atmosphere of kindness and respect, to individuals in need who reside in Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley. The client choice pantry is open every Wednesday and Friday morning, the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings of every month and the 2nd Tuesday evening of every month. Special dinner distributions are available for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The Village Church of Seventh-day Adventists

(978) 365-7152

What they do:
Adventist Community Service provides general clothing, bedding/linen, household items and operates a food pantry. Open Tuesdays 9AM to 12PM

New Hope Community Church

(978) 772-1755

What they do:
New Hope Community Church provides a food pantry in Ayer and one through their outreach ministry, Hop.

Pepperell Senior Center

(978) 433-0326

What they do:
PACH provides food and personal care items to individuals and families, and distributes food monthly from the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture), MEFAP (Massachusetts Emergency Food Assistance Program), and the Greater Boston Food Bank. Pepperell residents can receive food assistance and personal care items from the pantry twice a month.

WHEAT Community Connections

(508) 370-4943

What they do:
WHEAT Community Cupboard and Cafe is a service of the United Way. They offer food pantry services for Berlin, Bolton, Clinton, Lancaster, and Sterling.

Winchendon Community Action Committee (CAC)

(978) 297-1667

What they do:
Provides a selection of food need in the Winchendon community. “Our Neighbors Kitchen” is their free or low cost nutritious supper meal, which they host once a month. They also have a monthly breakfast. In addition to their many other services, the CAC also offers food in emergency situations and around the holiday season.

Acton Community Pantry

(978) 635-9295

What they do:
Provides a food pantry to Acton and its surrounding towns. The Pantry is closed the week of the 4th Wednesday of the month.

First Congregational Church

(603) 899-5722

What they do:
The First Congregational Church of Rindge, NH, offers a grocery program called Got Lunch. They also have a Middle and High School Food Pantry.

Hudson Community Food Pantry

(978) 562-5280

What they do:
Provides a food pantry for individuals and families.

Stow Food Pantry

(978) 897-4230

Food Pantry serving the towns of Stow, Maynard, Acton, Boxborough, Lancaster and Bolton. - - Open two Fridays a month: first and third.