MCFP helps to nourish more
than 130 families a year. 

We have gathered fequently asked questions and facts about our services, policies, and processes in the list below. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please feel free to reach out to our support team: 617.696.0221. We are always happy to help!

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I need food. Where can I get help in Milton?

Come to our pantry on these open dates https://www.miltonfoodpantryma.org/calendar and become a client. Or call 617.696.0221.

 

How do people become a client of the food pantry?

When a Milton resident comes to the pantry, they will sit with a Pantry Manager and fill out a form that provides basic information like name and ages of people in the household. (link to application form page).

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People who want to become clients need to fill out a basic application https://www.miltonfoodpantryma.org/mcfp-certification-recertification prove residency in Milton with a utility bill, lease, mortgage bill demonstrate financial need.

 

If a person is enrolled in programs including, SNAP, WIC, MassHealth, no other demonstration of need is necessary.

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*Note: Milton residents who are over 65 do NOT NEED TO PROVE FINANCIAL NEED.

 

Each new client is then given an appointment time for each Saturday. This system is meant to help reduce the time clients spend waiting to do their shopping.

 

We do not currently have an online application process.

 

What do clients shop for?

This is a client choice pantry so clients pick what they want to take home. The amount varies depending on family size.

 

Can someone else pick up for me?

Yes. If you cannot get to the pantry, someone else can pick up for you. As our delivery capacity is restricted, this is a great option for people who do not or cannot make it to each distribution day at the pantry.

 

Where else can I go if I am a Milton resident in need of food?

Milton residents in need of food can also go to Interfaith Social Services, QCAP and the Concord Baptist Church Pantry.

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Please see these and a larger list of resources at: Food Access Guide  https://www.miltonma.gov/1151/Mass-in-Motion.

 

Where can I go if I do NOT live in Milton?

Boston resident? Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition among others https://www.mattapanfoodandfit.org/food-access

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Quincy resident? Interfaith and QCAP among others https://interfaithsocialservices.org/food/ and https://www.qcap.org/our-programs/food-nutrition/

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Randolph resident? Friendly Food Pantry among others https://www.friendlypantry.org/get-help

Find a larger list of resources at: Food Access Guide  https://www.miltonma.gov/1151/Mass-in-Motion.

 

Is there anywhere in Milton where I can get food that will NOT require financial need?

Yes. The Concord Baptist Church Pantry at 180 Blue Hill Ave currently does NOT ask for residency or financial information. They are open the 2nd and 4th Wed of the month from 3 to 6. Call to confirm, 617.698.9300.

Where can I find more local food access information?

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A Food Access Guide maintained by the Mass in Motion Coordinator in the Milton Health Department is translated into a couple of languages https://www.miltonma.gov/1151/Mass-in-Motion and the Mass in Motion Wellness Coordinator can be reached at 617.898.4886.

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I need additional assistance in Milton. Who can I talk to?

The town social worker can be reached at 617-898-4877.

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The Milton Resident’s Fund helps with utility bills, housing payments and other payments and can be reached at MiltonResidentsFund@gmail.com

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Where is the Pantry located?

The Milton Community Food Pantry is located on the ground floor of the Parkway Methodist Church at 158 Blue Hill Parkway, Milton, directly across from the Tucker School.

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The driveway is immediately before the church and can be easy to miss. It is just after a telephone pole, so please be careful pulling in. The pantry is at the rear of the church building. Clients enter on the far side of the building.

 

How is the pantry funded?

The pantry is funded through donations.

We welcome private donations, either by checks in the mail or through our website.

 

Where does the food come from?

The overwhelming majority is purchased from the Greater Boston Food Bank. We also purchase fresh produce from the Fruit Center and get donations from Brookwood Community Farm. Although we do prefer financial donations, people do donate food to us as well. Some people organize food drives, perhaps in honor of a family event such as a bar or bat mitzvah, retirement or other special occasion. Food drives for cereal are greatly appreciated as the Food Bank usually offers just one choice and we do like to provide some variety. In addition, community organizations such as   Milton Hospital and the Milton public schools hold food drives.

 

Do you accept donations?

The Milton Community Food Pantry would greatly appreciate your contribution to our program, however, we ask that people donate money instead of goods. Why? Most importantly, money goes much further at the Greater Boston Food Bank as compared to retail stores. Also, we have very limited storage space.  Additionally, food donations are difficult to equitably distribute. In addition, we must constantly check dates and rotate stock.

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We CAN use donations of NEW reusable grocery shopping bags. The best ones have the rectangular bottom support pieces - Stop and Shop and Wegman’s have worked well for us in the past.

 

What about special occasions, like Thanksgiving and the winter holidays?

While we do not give out turkeys as part of our Thanksgiving food supplies, we have partnered with the Milton elementary schools to obtain and distribute many of the fixings for a traditional meal. MPS elementary schools collect and donate pre-assembled bags of holiday staples such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, etc. We give gift cards for turkeys or other preferred protein.

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In September and October, we work with Noreen Dolan from the Milton Residents Fund to enroll clients with children under 17 years of age in My Brother’s Keeper’s holiday gift program. Clients need to list each person in their household and specific gifts they would like to receive. My Brother’s Keeper does not accept requests for gift cards or shoes. The gifts are dropped off to the client’s home the week of Christmas and it is important that they give at least 2 phone numbers so My Brother’s Keeper can be sure someone is home to receive the gifts.

 

Where can I find more information about the pantry?

For more information, please call and leave a message at 617 .696.0221 and someone will get back to you.

 

Who runs the pantry?

It is 100% volunteer run.
 

Our steering committee members are:

Director - Pat

Pantry Manager and Teen Volunteer Coordinator - Janet

Pantry Manager and Delivery Coordinator – Natalie

Stock Logistics and Ordering - Leslie

Treasurer - Rita

Vice President and Adult Volunteer Coordinator - Jonathan

Steering Committee Member and GBFB  Delivery Coordinator - Kevin

Steering Committee Member - Kayde

Fundraising Acknowledgements - Lisa

 

Do you have social media?

Yes, our Facebook page is @MiltonCommunityFoodPantry but it is NOT currently a primary source for updated information. If you need more information than you can find on this web page, please call 617696.0221.

 

 

Distribution Day Volunteer Info and General Pantry Procedures

We are so glad that you are considering joining us as a volunteer at the food pantry.  Everyone here is a volunteer, and the pantry could not exist without you.  Thank you for sharing your time with us.

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The pantry distributes food two Saturdays each month.  Our calendar is here.

Volunteers arrive at 8:30 AM and leave at about noon.  Please let us know if you need to leave early. 

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Set up includes:

• Arranging tables and chairs

• Placing food from the cabinets and freezers onto the tables and into coolers.  The food has been ordered from the Greater Boston Food Bank and arrives on Wednesdays via a volunteer’s truck.

• Getting back stock ready.

• Packing bags for deliveries.  The bags are lined up in the hallway. Just before going out for delivery, frozen proteins and bread are added to bags. The bags are delivered by volunteers later in the morning after they have been called by a pantry manager.              

• Re-stocking the tables as supplies are depleted. Some items are in nearby cabinets while others are across the hall in a storage room or down in the basement.  Cabinets are kept locked when not in use.

• The director sets up a table at the doorway to the chapel for check-in. Clients are given a time at which to come. Clients then wait in the chapel. There is also a book shelf that the Friends of the Milton Library stock in that hallway with free books. Clients arrive at 9:00 AM until about 11:45.

• During check in: 

• Pat gives each client a tag to clip to the cart.  The tag indicates family size, which determines how much food each client can choose. 

• -Once a month, Pat distributes gift cards; amounts vary depending on family size; gift cards are used to purchase items that we do not stock such as fresh milk and eggs. On the other distribution  day of the month, clients are able to choose fresh produce that we have purchased. 

• Clients are teamed with a volunteer to walk through the shopping room where tables are full of shelf stable goods, cleaning supplies and hygiene items, bread and frozen proteins. Then volunteers (typically teenagers) help carry bags outside so we can use the cart for the next person.