St. Mary's Food Pantry
617.282.3181
pantry@stmarysdorchester.org
www.stmarysdorchester.org
Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The Food Pantry is one of the most established ministries at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Concerned by issues of hunger and poverty in the Uphams Corner neighborhood of Dorchester, St. Mary’s Food Pantry was established in 1991 to help address the needs of those struggling to put food on their tables. Today the food pantry is staffed solely by volunteers and feeds approximately 300 low-income families (875 individuals) from Dorchester, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain each month.
St. Mary’s food pantry is a member agency of the Greater Boston Food Bank and receives most of its food from this source. In addition, the pantry relies on Partner churches, community groups and individuals to help keep its shelves stocked.
Location
FOR CLIENTS
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The St. Mary’s food pantry located at 14 Cushing Ave. in Dorchester is open on Tuesdays from 9:30 -11:30 AM.
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Those in need of assistance may come to the pantry once a month to receive a variety of dry, canned and perishable food.
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ID is required at each visit.
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Recipients must be “income eligible” to receive food assistance. See guidelines at point of registration.
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For information about Food Stamps and other free and low-cost food resources, call Project Bread’s Food Source Hotline: 1-800-645-8333.
FOR VOLUNTEERS
There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at St. Mary’s food pantry:
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Hands-on assistance during pantry hours: Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 (Volunteers arrive at 8:30). Tasks include client sign-in and registration, translating for non-English speaking clients, food storage and pantry maintenance.
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Planning and implementing a food drive on behalf of the pantry
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Translation of written materials such as pantry policies and procedures, etc. – most notably Spanish, Creole and Portuguese
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Clerical assistance: telephone, written correspondence, etc.
To learn more about volunteer opportunities or to request a Volunteer Application, please contact our Food Pantry Coordinator.
FOR DONORS
Donations of non-perishable dry and canned foods (no glass containers, please) are always welcome. For a “wish list” of most needed foods, to plan a food drive or to arrange a food delivery, please contact our Food Pantry Coordinator.