Centre Street Food Pantry

Centre Street Food Pantry is a Newton-based food relief agency serving residents of Newton, Brookline, Needham, Waltham, Watertown and Wellesley. Its mission is consistent, inclusive access to healthy food, offered with dignity and kindness, so that no one has to worry about food or forgo food to cover other expenses. It is a reliable source of fresh food, groceries and personal care items for thousands of people in those communities.

Rising need has turned the pantry into a large, year-round outdoor operation, but it keeps the feel of a small, vibrant volunteer community. Its Kids Club program provides extra breakfast, lunch and snack foods to families with children all year, and a summer push funded fresh lunch items such as milk, deli meats, cheese, rolls, yogurt and fruit for thousands of local kids.

What to Know

• A June fundraising campaign, boosted by a matching gift from the Berlin Family Foundation, raised more than $100,000 for children’s food.
• Team Centre Street raised $70,000 through the Ride and Stride for Food event organized by Three Squares New England.
• The pantry reports having distributed 4,500 grocery bags.
• It is a member of both the Charles River Regional Chamber and the Waltham West Suburban Chamber of Commerce.