“Neighbors Helping Neighbors”
73 Charles Street
Holliston, MA
(508) 429-5392
http://www.hollistonpantryshelf.org
Hours of Operation:
Monday, Tuesday and Friday: 10:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m.
Wednesday Evening, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thursday: 11:00am to 2:00pm AND 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
*If you are experiencing a food emergency please call/text Karen Jewett at (774) 253-0694
The History
The Holliston Pantry Shelf was established in December of 1993 and first located in the basement of the Town Hall. In March of 1996 a new space was made available, through the generosity of local businessperson Christine Carey, Esq., at 23 Water Street where it remained for over 20 years. In December 2017 the Pantry moved to a larger location at 73 Charles Street (backside of Table Top building) where it’s currently housed to serve our community. The Pantry is a place where residents of Holliston can shop right off the shelves for their families in the privacy of our store. We operate solely through the tremendous monetary support and food drives and donations we receive from our community residents and local businesses.
Do I Qualify to Use the Pantry?
If you live in Holliston, then YES!
Any Holliston resident struggling with food insecurity may use the Pantry. This can be on a short-term basis, long-term basis or as needed. One is not asked to show financial statements, only residency.
How do I use the Pantry?
- In order to use the Pantry one must obtain a Pantry Card through the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall.
- A resident completes a brief form (linked here – click to get your own copy) asking his/her name, address, number of people in the family and a telephone number (no financial information is required).
- The Town Clerk checks to see that the resident is listed in our census listings and thus resides in Holliston.
- The Town clerk will immediately issue a temporary card that can be used that day and is good for two (2) shops (one per week). The temporary card is used for the interim until the official card is received in the postal mail.
- A number is assigned to each participant; no personal identifying information appears on your card. When a resident shops at The Pantry Shelf he/she will be required to present at each visit.
- You will be asked to renew your Pantry card annually at the Town Hall.
Shopping at the Pantry
Once a shopper enters the Pantry, they will be greeted by our wonderful Team of volunteers. First the shopper will need to present and scan his/her card, they will use one of the shopping carts to loop through the Pantry and shop “off the shelves” for his/her family each week. While they shop from the shelves, a Volunteer will obtain the perishable foods for each resident from the other rooms. The chalkboard next to the door lists the perishable items such as margarine, eggs, cheese and meats that shoppers may bring home each week. Laundry detergent can be obtained once a month. Shoppers are assigned a number of grocery bags for the size of their family (for example; if there are 1-3 people in the family a shopper can take 4 bags of groceries, a family of 4 can get 5 bags, etc. up to 7 bags)
Becoming a Volunteer
You can volunteer for the Food Pantry in two ways; you can volunteer for weekly or biweekly shifts during our hours of operation or you can volunteer to drive or join one of our pick up teams. Check out our website HollistonPantryShelf.org for more information.
Donations Always Welcome
If you wish to contribute food items, you may drop them off in the black bin located outside of the Pantry door by the stone wall. Needed items are consistently updated on our website. All items are welcome, however we are always in need of staples such as peanut butter, cans of tuna, spaghetti sauce, canned goods and paper products. Monetary donations are also welcome. You can drop those off at the Pantry during hours of operation, send a check to our P.O. Box 6662, Holliston, MA 01746, or donate online through our website “Donations” page or scan our QR Code!
The Pantry’s Connection to St. Mary’s Parish, Holliston
Each Sunday the St. Mary’s Mass bulletin lists the items most needed by the Holliston Pantry Shelf that week.
St. Mary’s has a bin where non-perishable food donations may be dropped off on your way to Mass, Religious Education, etc. This bin is located in the St. Mary’s Parish Center right next to the main parking lot doors by the Youth Ministry Bulletin Board.
For many years it has also been the tradition at St. Mary’s to take up a collection for the Holliston Pantry Shelf on Holy Thursday (Solemn Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper). The same is also done on Thanksgiving Day.
IMPORTANT CONTACTS
Food Pantry Store
(This line is only answered during hours of operation)
508-429-5392
Town Clerk’s Office (to apply)
508-429-0601
President, Karen Jewett
774-253-0694 (cell)
Every person’s situation is confidential and our mission is to serve one another with dignity and respect. Please feel free to call/text me directly at any time to discuss how we can support you during your time of need.
~ Karen