Belmont Food Pantry
450 Concord Avenue (former Electric Light Building)
Belmont, MA 02478
Mailing address: Belmont Food Pantry, P.O. Box 291, Belmont, MA 02478
Hours
*The 1st and 3rd Saturday each month for food distribution between 8:30 and 9:30 a.m.
*Second Tuesday of the month, 5:30 -6:30 pm
HOLIDAY NOTICE: Due to the July 4 holiday, the Belmont Food Pantry will be open the 2nd (July 10) and 4th (July 17) Saturdays 8:30-9:30 a.m. The pantry will still be open the 2nd (July 13) and 4th (July 27) Tuesdays 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Mission
The Belmont Food Pantry is a non-profit, volunteer organization serving the Town of Belmont by providing food for Belmont residents with transitional needs (i.e., job loss, illness that created unexpected medical bills, marital problems, changing family responsibilities, disabilities).
History
In February, 1992 the Board of Selectmen were requested by a town resident to locate a town-owned site that could house a food pantry for the Belmont community. Fire Chief Jim Murphy of the Belmont Fire Department, offered a section of the basement in the Waverley Fire Station. This space had been previously used by the Boy and Explorer Scouts, who volunteered to clean and paint the room. An Ad Hoc Committee consisting of a representative from the Council on Aging, the Religious Council, the business community, the Fire Chief, and three Belmont residents, was formed. The committee developed guidelines and began the process of opening the pantry. With the help of the local churches and a small “startup” grant from Project Bread, the Belmont Food Pantry became operational on
Saturday, December 5, 1992.
Summary
The Belmont Food Pantry does not discriminate. Recipients must present proof of residency. We have been functional since ‘92 on a bi-monthly basis with no operating or overhead charges. Over the years we have received grant money from Project Bread, support from the Belmont Citizen’s annual Holiday Gift Drive, food from the New England Food Foundation and the yearly Post Office Letter Carriers Food Drive. We try to remain solely dependent on the Town’s organizations, worship houses, schools and individual residents for food and money donations.
The pantry is strictly a volunteer organization with no paid staff. Any money donations are used to purchase staple foods, to supplement the foods that are donated, in order to provide nutritional meals.
How are Hungry People Helped
The Belmont Food Pantry helps people in transitional situations get through tough times by providing supplementary, staple foods. It serves as a safety net for people of Belmont of all ages without regard for financial status.
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