About the Food Pantry

Started in 1990, the Sudbury Community Food Pantry is staffed by over 100 dedicated volunteers.

The Pantry had over 5,800 client visits last year.

We are a 100% volunteer organization. No person working for the Food Pantry receives compensation for his or her time or travel. As a volunteer-run pantry, we are able to put our donation dollars to effective use. Over 88% of all of our expenditures have gone directly to provide food for our clients. The remainder has been spent on necessary equipment, supplies, and services needed to operate and serve our growing client base.

7th August 2020: A volunteer unpacking fresh fruit and vegetables, that have been delivered for distribution at a charity food bank centre, in the town of Penicuik, in Midlothian, Scotland. The woman is wearing blue jacket to identify her volunteer role in the centre, where emergency food packages are given to those in crisis and poverty. A problem that has increased since the Covid-19 pandemic, with more people losing jobs and getting into financial difficulty.

Small group of people donating their time by working in a warehouse to organize and distribute non-perishable goods to families and people in need.

Group of Volunteers Preparing Free Food Rations for Poor People in Need. Charity Workers and Members of the Community Work Together. Concept of Giving, Humanitarian Aid and Society.

Our Mission

The Sudbury Community Food Pantry offers food assistance to those in need with no pre-requisites or geographic boundaries. We provide food and personal care items that promote healthy living, in a welcoming environment that respects our clients’ dignity and privacy.

Where We Get Our Food

When clients visit the Pantry, they can receive both fresh and non-perishable food, including meat and produce, and personal care products.

To supply the Pantry with this array of food, we leverage a network of organizations. As a member agency of the Greater Boston Food Bank, the Sudbury Food Pantry is able to purchase food at much less than wholesale prices.

During New England’s produce growing seasons, several farms in Metrowest donate fresh vegetables for us to distribute to our clients.

Our Values

Our sole purpose is to help families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. You will be served in an atmosphere of caring and mutual respect by friendly and understanding volunteers. Because coming to strangers and asking for food can be difficult, all efforts are made to put clients at ease when they arrive at the Pantry.

The Sudbury Food Pantry serves clients without requiring them to document need or provide letters of eligibility from social or governmental entities.

The Sudbury Food Pantry provides food for all those in need. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse environment where every individual is treated with respect and dignity. We firmly stand against any form of discrimination, including but not limited to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other protected characteristic.

In addition to fresh food, the food pantry distributes a wide variety of shelf-stable food.

Shelf-stable food comes from a wide range of sources including Greater Boston Food Bank, rescued food from local supermarkets, Sudbury Public Schools’ food drives, community food drives, local businesses, and individual donations.