Food Banks and Pantries in Boston, MA
The Greater Boston Food Bank serves Boston, MA with an estimated 500 partner pantries and meal programs. Anyone in need can get free groceries or a hot meal -- most sites do not require ID or proof of income.
Last updated:
Boston at a Glance
500
Partner pantries & meal sites
The Greater
Regional Feeding America food bank
4+
Notable sites listed below
211
Free pantry locator hotline
How to Get Free Food in Boston
The Greater Boston Food Bank is the regional Feeding America member serving eastern Massachusetts including the greater Boston metro, through roughly 500 partner agencies. Anyone in need can get free food at a partner site with no income requirement at most locations. Call 211 or use the food bank website find-food map to locate the nearest pantry or mobile distribution.
Regional Food Bank: The Greater Boston Food Bank
The primary Feeding America member food bank serving the Boston, MA area. It distributes food to an estimated 500 partner pantries, soup kitchens, and meal programs across eastern Massachusetts, including the greater Boston metro.
Notable Pantries and Meal Sites in Boston
This is a sample of well-known sites. For a full, current list of all pantries near you, use 211 or the food bank website above.
Soup Kitchens and Community Meals
The Greater Boston Food Bank partners with soup kitchens and meal programs across the Boston metro, including St. Francis House downtown, which serves meals daily, and Rosies Place, which serves women in the South End. Many churches and community centers run free community meal nights. Most meal sites welcome anyone in need with no questions asked and many also hand out groceries.
Mobile Pantry Program
The Greater Boston Food Bank operates a Mobile Pantry Program that brings fresh produce, dairy, and shelf-stable goods to neighborhoods, schools, and senior centers across eastern Massachusetts on a rotating schedule. Stops focus on food deserts and areas far from a fixed pantry. Schedules are posted on the food bank website and updated monthly.
SNAP / Food Stamp Outreach
The Greater Boston Food Bank offers free SNAP application assistance at its main facility, partner sites, and community events across the region. Staff help residents complete applications, gather documents, and prepare for interviews, and they offer pre-screening so applicants know their likely benefit amount. Help is available in English and Spanish.
How to Find a Pantry Near You in Boston
Call 211 in Massachusetts, visit gbfb.org and use the Find Food map, or call the food bank at 617-427-5200. The Feeding America locator at feedingamerica.org/find-your-local-foodbank also covers Boston. Most pantries require no appointment, but hours change, so call ahead.
More Food & Benefits Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
Can anyone get free food from a Boston food pantry?
How do I find a food pantry near me in Boston?
Does the Greater Boston Food Bank have a mobile pantry?
Can the Greater Boston Food Bank help me apply for SNAP?
Are there soup kitchens that serve hot meals daily in Boston?
Do Boston food pantries give out fresh produce?
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