Newton Food Pantry Settles Into New Location

NEWTON, MA — The Newton Food Pantry has officially moved into its first permanent, standalone home after spending the past decade operating out of the basement of Newton City Hall.

The nonprofit recently celebrated the opening of its new 5,000-square-foot facility at 131 Rumford Ave. in Auburndale. The building was constructed over the past three years on donated land and replaces the pantry's longtime City Hall location, where volunteers unloaded one final delivery from the Greater Boston Food Bank before beginning operations at the new site.

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Founded in 1983 by Newton resident Jackie Colby, the Newton Food Pantry has grown into the city's oldest and largest food pantry. Now 102 years old, Colby, who serves as the organization's president emeritus, cut the ribbon at the facility's grand opening.

The pantry serves more than 2,500 Newton residents each year with the help of four staff members and approximately 130 volunteers. Over the past 12 months, the organization distributed more than 800,000 pounds of groceries and personal care items to local families.

The new building was designed to accommodate the pantry's continued growth. It features expanded warehouse space, walk-in refrigerators and freezers, a larger shopping area where clients can select their own groceries, additional volunteer work areas, and a larger waiting space. According to the organization, the move will also allow it to expand its operating hours and eventually offer additional services such as SNAP enrollment assistance and other community programs.

Mayor Marc Laredo said the new facility reflects years of work from volunteers, donors, and supporters across Newton and will allow the pantry to serve even more residents in the future.

"The Pantry's four staff members and 130 volunteers distributed more than 800,000 pounds of groceries and personal care items over the past 12 months," Laredo said in a statement. "This new facility will allow them to reach even more neighbors in the years ahead."

The pantry receives no direct government funding and relies on donations and volunteers to carry out its mission. According to the organization, it works to provide fresh, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food to Newton residents experiencing food insecurity while serving clients with dignity and respect.

Laredo also recognized Colby's role in establishing the pantry more than four decades ago and said the organization's staff and volunteers continue to carry forward her legacy of serving Newton families.

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