Free Food and Food Pantries In Your Community
If you or your family are having trouble getting enough food, you do not need to navigate it alone. Food pantries, community organizations, and other programs throughout Massachusetts provide free groceries and meals to individuals and families who need support.
By Denora Remy
Published October 8, 2026
This guide can help you get started
First, let's talk about the difference between food pantries and SNAP
Food Pantries vs. SNAP
Along with food pantries, families may be able to receive help through programs like SNAP (food benefits). This can help with grocery costs. You can also find resources for managing bills, household items, and other financial needs
Food Pantries provide meals or groceries directly and may have eligibility or scheduling requirements
SNAP provides monthly assistance that families can use to get food.
What Food Pantries Can Provide
Depending on the organization, location, and availability.
Food assistance may include:
Fresh produce
Canned foods
Rice
Pasta
Meat
Dairy products
Not Sure Where To Start?
If you’re looking for food assistance. Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline can help you get available resources and learn about programs such as SNAP.
Project Bread FoodSource Hotline
If you are not sure where to go, Project Bread can help you locate food resources and determine whether you may qualify for programs such as SNAP
FoodSource Hotline: 1-800-645-8333
Need help in another language? Project Bread’s FoodSource also offers assistance in multiple languages!
Greater Boston Food Bank
The Greater Boston Food Bank offers an online food assistance locator that can help you find food pantries and meal programs in your community.
Simply enter your ZIP code to see available resources near you.
Find food: Visit the Greater Boston Food Bank's “Need Food?” page.
Food Resources Near Me
IFSI serves families across several Massachusetts communities. Below are local food assistance resources available near IFSI locations :
Boston & Mattapan
Food Distribution, Hunger Relief & SNAP Assistance
70 South Bay Ave, Boston, MA 02118
(617) 427-5200 | gbfb.org
Food Justice Program - The Centre for Faith, Art, and Justice
3702 Washington St, Jamaica Plain, MA
617-971-8840 | fbcjpfood@gmail.com
Boston Medical Center - Preventive Food Pantry
850 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118
Basement BMC, Yawkey Center
617-414-5263 | latchman.hiralall@BMC.org
Brockton
Catholic Charities Boston - Catholic Charities South
169 Court Street, Brockton, MA 02302
508-587-0815 | volunteer@ccab.org
Malden
Bread of Life Malden
4 Eastern Ave., Malden, MA 02148
(Getting There: Entrance on opposite side of building from Eastern Ave; accessible via the Malden Center T stop and Bus 105).
(781) 397-0404 | info@breadoflifemalden.org
Before You Go
Before visiting a food pantry, consider calling ahead to ask.
Food pantry schedules and requirements can change. Before visiting a location, we recommend contacting the organization to confirm:
Do I need identification?
Do I need an appointment?
Is there a limit on how often I can receive food?
What food is currently available?
More Community Resources Coming Soon
This article is part of the IFSI Community Resource Series, created to help immigrant families find reliable information and services in their communities.
Coming Next: housing, healthcare, education, employment, legal and immigration services, and other community resources.
Need help connecting with resources?
Contact IFSI-USA for additional support.
(617) 322-1348
