New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Recently, The Standard Times reported that several food pantries were dangerously low on food items with some even forced to close their doors to hungry visitors. The story boosted the food stocks temporarily, but more can be done for the long-term. I’m certain most of us have a few items that we can spare sitting in our cupboards. Also, the next time you go grocery shopping, you can spend a few extra dollars and pick up a few additional items. If you see some deep discount items buy a bunch and stop by the closest food pantry on our list on your way home. You can also donate money so that the pantries can purchase perishable items they need the most. Your generosity will go a long way.
I coordinated with the Mayor’s office and they provided me a list of food pantries that provide services throughout New Bedford. I also discovered a Southcoast, Massachusetts food pantries list that provides details on pantries in New Bedford and the surrounding towns. I suggest calling ahead to confirm the drop off times, what they accept and most importantly what they need the most.
City of New Bedford Provides Pantry List
Mercy Meals and More
634 Purchase Street
508-728-1489
Mon—Thurs 7-7:30am
Braz/Bean Community Center
508.979.1737
360 Coggeshall St.
Mon—Thurs 9-1 p.m. (available 1x every 30 days). ID and/or MA Health card required.
Catholic Social Services
508.997.7337
238 Bonney St. (in back of O. L. of Mt. Carmel R. C. Church)
Wed. & Thurs. 10-12 p.m. (available 1x every 30 days). Min. 18 years-old, proofs of income & residency, pic. ID, MA Health ID required for all children. Bread, non-perishable foods and fresh produce.
Grace Episcopal Church
508.993.0547
133 School St.
Wed. & Fri. 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (available 1x per month / 12 x per yr. Photo ID required and children’s insurance cards.
MO Food = Life Pantry
508.992.5978
724 Pleasant Street Wed. 10-Noon (available 3 x every 30 days). For adults, picture ID & proof of income, ID for family members.
Mobile Loaves and Fishes
Food/clothing available at sites across the city: Sat: Salvation
Army parking lot 11:30 AM, Th: NB Main Library 12:00 PM,
Fr: PAACA 5:30 PM, Tu and Th: NB Bus Terminal 5:30 PM
P.A.C.E.
508.999.9920
166 William St.
Mon-Fri (new walk-ins or received no service w/in past yr.: 9-11, all others by appointment). Available 1x every 3 months, if PACE client, 1x per month. Referral, Picture ID & verification of dependents required.
The Salvation Army
508.997.6561
619 Purchase St.
Mon-Fri 8:30-Noon & 1-3 (available 1x every 3 months). Required: ID for household members & proof of residence for appt. 3-5 days of food / clothing vouchers for fire victims only.
St. Anthony’s Church
508.993.1611
Nye St. Entrance (enter through church basement door). Thurs. @ Noon (1x every other week) Picture. ID and MA Health.
Missionaries of Charity
508.997.7347
Appt. required. Accepting referrals from service providers only.
St. Martin’s Church
508.264.1520
136 Rivet St.
2nd and last Saturday 10-11 and last Tu 5-6, (1 x per month).
Veterans Transition House
508.991.8791
20 Willis St.
Veterans only! (1 x per month) Copy of DD214 and proof of residency required Contact: Moe Mann X 24.
St. Paul’s United Methodoist Church
884 Kempton Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Tel. 508-993-0614
Mobile Loaves Fishes is a mission of St. Paul’s Church
New Bedford Guide Facebook User Suggested Pantry List
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish
230 Bonney Street New Bedford, MA 02744
Phone: (508) 993-4704 Fax: (508) 991-5536
Shepherd’s Pantry
1215 Main St Acushnet
Saturdays from 9-11AM.
508-763-9289
St Martin’s Pantry
Open the 3rd Saturday 10-11am and the Last Tuesday 5-6pm.
Mount Carmel Church (Rivet Street)
Did I miss a food pantry? Post a reply and we’ll add it!
Mercy Meals and More
http://mercymeals.org/
5087281489
They are in need of breakfast foods.
They can also use blankets for their emergency shelter.
Mercy Meals and More is not a food pantry but a free will breakfast program. Donations of breakfast items such as bread, English muffins,Bagels, peanut butter, grape jelly, syrup regular and sugar free( can only get at Price Rite) , pancake mix, coffee, instant coffee, equal, sugar, ketchup and plastic fork, knives, spoons, toilet paper,cleaning supplies, dis soap,bleach and napkins are needed and will be greatly appreciated. Men’s and women’s clothing and books also accepted. Volunteers needed to help with the Thursday morning foot clinic are also welcome. Doors open at 5:45 a.m, and close by 8:15 a.m. Monday to Saturday. Call Rev. Russ 508-728-1489
Could I donate home baked items like pumpkin cupcakes/sweet potato cupcakes, etc. as a treat?
St. Paul’s United Methodoist Church
884 Kempton Street
New Bedford, MA 02740
Tel. 508-993-0614
Mobile Loaves Fishes is a mission of St. Paul’s Church
Added!
St. Martin’s Food Pantry has changed their hours. The new hours are Last Sat 10-11 and last Tues 5-6, (1 x per month).
St. Martin’s food pantry hours are the 3rd Sat of the month 10-11 and the last Tues of the month 5-6.
Saint Anthony’s Updated Hours 11:30 to 1:00, Thursdays. Lunch also available at our kitchen. Must be New Bedford resident.
Grace Episcopal is now Wed and Friday. The Church offices are closed on Mondays.
Which establishments are in most need of children’s winter jackets? I have called 3 places on this list during December and again in January and they have refused me telling me they have a surplus of jackets and are not needed. I also have a basket made up with soups and pastas with sauce. I’m trying to get it to those in need and keep hitting dead ends. I know there are people out there who must need them. Please head me in the right direction.
Seven Hills Behavioral Health Located At 1177 Acushnet Avenue, New Bedford also has a food pantry. The phone number is 508-999-4159.
Hours: Monday and Wednesday 9:30am- 12 and Thursday from 5p-7p.
Photo id, proof of income,and masshealth card required. You are allowed to visit once per month for food items and as needed for bread. Food pantry is run on donations so every donation counts and would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you Rev Russ of Mercy Meals and More. You are always a step or two ahead of me ( In most things). And Sarah too. I am the building person for Pilgrim UCC and it’s church home in 2014.
Mercy Meals is a soupe kitchen open Mon thru Sat for breakfast. Sister Rose also runs a soup kitchen out of that building. 11-1 mon thru Friday. We thank our many volunteers and associates. I don’t know how these people do it. The staff is wonderful ! Definitely contact Rev Chamberlain because we need supplies, volunteers, and funds to supply a growing need. We are turning lives around for the better.
Thank you Michael Silve for writing your article. It is greatly appreciated! It’s a side of the city that is under reported. To coordinate all the operational details of each place is a daunting task. I invite you for a tour of our facilities ( and neighbouring ones). May we work together for a better New Bedford. Your attention to this issue is a blessing.
@ Jen … ” GIFTS TO GIVE ” is always in need of winter jackets and clothing in general .. All sizes … 🙂
Damiens Pantry in Wareham, MA. also serves New Bedford residents. https://www.google.com/maps/place/Damien's+Place+Food+Pantry/@41.756601,-70.652298,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x718c946856933df7
We have extra summer and zucchini squash as we planted too much. Would deliver between 20 and 40 lbs. at the time.
Any pantry need them?
Hi Klara, if you have extra grown veggies this summer, I would be interested in donating money them them as I am vegan
The following pantry is closed:
American Red Cross
508.996.8286
593 Kempton Street
The Red Cross will be open from 10-2 in the parking lot outside. This Thursday 03/14/2019. Please dress warm and bring your own bags, No ID will be required, just the number of people and ages in your home. The lot is located on mill st and hopefully we will get some notification when they will be returning!
Damien’s Family Pantry in Wareham Ma is missing. They service clients on the South Coast all the way to Dartmouth.
They closed for a few weeks but are open again on Thursdays and Saturdays from 9am -11:30am.
Their address is 3065 Cranberry Hwy # B20, East Wareham, MA 02538
Phone: (508) 295-3486