Supported Food Programs

donate Online or by mail

Thank you to our fiscal sponsor, Wendell Good Neighbors, Inc. for making online and mail-in donations possible!

Or mail a check

You can continue to contribute throughout the year. Please make checks out to our fiscal agent “Wendell Good Neighbors, Inc.” and write “Food-A-Thon” on the memo line. Checks may be mailed to Wendell Good Neighbors, P.O. Box 222, Wendell, MA 01379.

Athol High School

AHS Community Food Pantry is a community food pantry that welcomes all individuals from Athol, Royalston, and surrounding towns to access food and other basic necessities. The AHS Community Food Pantry is located inside Athol High School on the Lake Ellis side/rear entrance of the building. We are open on Wednesdays from 3:00–5:00 PM. All are welcome to come to the pantry and there is no limit to the number of visits per month.

Esta es una despensa de alimentos es para que toda la gente en nuestra comunidad puedan venir!
Spanish translation is available for those who would like to visit our food pantry and would need access to a Spanish interpreter. 

When the food pantry is open, individuals are invited to come inside and shop for themselves. We will try to accommodate delivery requests if a visit to the pantry is not possible. For questions or concerns, contact Erika Bueno by phone at 978-249-2435, Ext 314 or email at communitypantry@arrsd.org). We are also on Facebook as Athol High School Food Pantry.

Our Lady Immaculate Pantry in Athol

The Our Lady Immaculate Food Pantry has been in operation for over 25 years and is run out of the church Rectory located at 192 School Street in Athol. Serving those in Athol, Royalston, and Petersham, the pantry is open every Tuesday from 10 AM to 3:30 PM. Patrons may avail themselves once a month for a bag of non-perishable food items, as well as frozen meats, dairy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Over 720 families visited our pantry in 2019. Gayle Bassett, Chairwoman, along with 14 volunteers, runs the program. More information is available by calling 978-249-2738.

Salvation Army Pantry and Meals Program in Athol

Since its early beginnings in 1865, the mission of The Salvation Army has been to meet basic human needs of food, shelter, clothing, and safety. It is our belief that taking care of basic needs is an important first step toward more positive and permanent life changes. Our pantry positions us to offer an open door to many in moments of crisis and many times leads to assisting with emotional and spiritual needs, as well. Along with food, clients find hope, encouragement, a friendly atmosphere, and a caring community to support them through life's ups and downs.

Pantry hours are currently Tuesday and Friday 9:00 AM–12:00 PM with a community meal and grocery giveaway on Tuesday evenings 4:30–5:30 PM. All are welcome. We are located at 107 Ridge Avenue in Athol or call 978-249-8111 for assistance.

You can find us online at SalvationArmyMA.org/Athol and on Facebook.

Franklin County Community Meals Program

The Orange Food Pantry and Orange Community Meal are programs of the Franklin County Meals Program (FCCMP); FCCMP has additional free community meal sites in Greenfield on Tuesday and Wednesday, Turners Falls on Monday, and Northfield on the 4th Thursday of the month.

The Orange Food Pantry at 118 E. Main Street is open to the public every Thursday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. All are welcome to come to the Orange Food Pantry regardless of town of residence or income status. The food pantry is open for walk in — cars can line up across the street at the Orange Armory, and pull up to the front of the pantry two at a time. Guests are invited to come inside and shop for themselves. The amount of food distributed depends on household size with a minimum of 20 pounds of food given and includes perishables, fresh produce, meat, and dairy. Delivery on Fridays in the Athol/Orange area may be arranged if a visit to the Pantry is not feasible; call 978-544-2149.

The Orange Community Meal takes place each Thursday at the Orange United Methodist Church at 104 S. Main Street. Delivery can be provided at this time also. All food is currently distributed as grab-and-go. Hot meals as well as an Orange Pantry pop-up table are available to guests between 5:00 to 5:30 PM.

For more information about any of FCCMP's programs contact us at 413-772-1033; info@fccmp.org.

St. Vincent DePaul Pantry of St. Mary’s Church in Orange

St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry of St. Mary’s Church in Orange has been committed to helping those in need in Orange and the surrounding communities for over 20 years. All work at the pantry is done by volunteers and 100% of donations are used for the purchase of pantry items. The pantry is located on W. Myrtle St. in Orange at the parish center and is open by appointment only. An appointment may be scheduled by calling Kathy Schiappa at 978-544-6814. Information about the food pantry is also found on the church’s website at stmaryorange.online.

Good Neighbors pantry in WenDell

Wendell Good Neighbors is a 100% volunteer-operated food pantry and information and referral center. We have no income requirements and are open every Sunday, holidays included. We currently serve more than 50% of Wendell residents and 15% of New Salem residents. Members can shop every week, filling a banana box or two bags, and can return to help themselves to the perishable leftovers after all have shopped.

The Good Neighbors pantry is located in the old Town Hall in Wendell Center. For more information, you can contact Nancy Graton at 978-544-2533.