Centre Street Food Pantry, a nonprofit regional food relief agency that serves residents of Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley, has announced its response to the pending cuts to SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Access Program) and other hardships created due to the government shutdown. Centre Street will expand its hours, provide additional Thanksgiving items, and stock as much food as possible to provide fresh produce, dairy, and meal-making groceries to those in need.

Centre Street typically serves 1,100 households a month (each a unique visit) and is preparing to serve upwards of 1,500 households starting in November - an increase of 35%. To meet the anticipated increase in families seeking food in November, Centre Street will be:

• Extending its weekly Tuesday service days to include an additional half hour for those who cannot make an appointment.
• Extending its Saturday service day by one hour.
• Offering all families something extra such as a pie, a roast chicken or a turkey (according to household size), as well as holiday foods as they are available (stuffing, cranberry sauce, brown sugar) in addition to a full complement of groceries that include fresh sliced bread and heaping bags of produce.

“Centre Street has been a consistent source of nutritious food for thousands of people in six Greater Boston communities - Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley - for nearly 15 years,” said Rose Saia, Executive Director of Centre Street Food Pantry. “We are one of the Greater Boston Food Bank’s largest distribution partners and also receive regular fresh food donations from Spoonfuls, Trader Joe’s Newton, and Iggy’s Bread of the World. We then purchase what is needed from produce and dairy wholesalers. With this sourcing foundation, we are ready to provide food for over 5,000 people next month – 65% of them will be families with children.”

The Pantry’s updated service hours are: Every Tuesday:

• 1-2 PM - Senior Citizen households
• 2-3:30 PM - All Households by appointment
• 3:30-5:30 - First come, first served (extended hours)
• 5:30 PM-6 PM - All Households by Appointment

Third Saturday

• 10 AM-1 PM - All Households, first come, first served (extended hours)

Residents of Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley are eligible to visit Centre Street Food Pantry even if they receive groceries from another food agency.

“As we get ready to do more for those in need this holiday season – and beyond – we are grateful to the caring members of our communities who get involved or donate to Centre Street Food Pantry and other emergency food distribution agencies,” Saia continued.

To give a financial donation or to find out how to donate a turkey for a family in November, please visit CentreStreet Food Pantry’s website: www.centrestreetfoodpantry.org.

About Centre Street Food Pantry

Centre Street Food Pantry’s mission is to provide our communities with consistent and inclusive access to healthy food, with kindness and dignity. The nonprofit regional food relief agency is open weekly to assist residents of Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley. Centre Street consistently provides a variety of fresh food and essential items to all who visit and has created special programs designed to meet the needs of senior citizens and children. For more information about these programs and others, as well as current initiatives, fundraising needs, and news, please visit www.centrestfoodpantry.org or follow us on Instagram or Facebook.

Media Contact: 
Centre Street Food Pantry
Dan Foley
508-272-0017
dfoley@centrestfoodpantry.org