Welcome to the Pantry!

Visit us to pick up staple foods for you and your family, drop off donated food, or stop by to say “Hi

Operating Hours:

Mon to Thurs 8:45am – 11:45 am

During winter season, the pantry closes when the Lowell public schools closed due to bad weather.

Click to see a typical client experience when visiting the Open Pantry.

978-453-6693

Visitors Entrance

200 Central St, Lowell
(Wheelchair accessible)

Recent News

Happenings in the Pantry

Scroll or click to view the pantry Facebook.
Please like our posts.

The Open Pantry newsletter shares relevant news, events, and information about the pantry, volunteers, donors, supporters, and friends twice or three times annually.

Feel free to browse our past online newsletters:

Dec 2023 Newsletter
Fall 2023 Newsletter
Spring 2023 Newsletter

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What Our Clients Can Expect During Their Visit

The Open Pantry provides food assistance to individuals and families in need, 
regardless of race, language, creed, religion or country of origin.

We provide food assistance to individuals and families living in Lowell and seven surrounding communities, including Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, Westford, and Wilmington. The pantry offers a regular first order and a smaller second order of food per calendar month. Please bring a few reusable bags with you to pickup your order.

Check-in at 200 Central St, Lowell

Temperatures will be taken.

Exit at 13 Hurd St, Lowell

After your registration, please wait for your order. You will leave with your food via the exit at 13 Hurd St. If you drive a car, please park at the designated parking place to load your food.

If you live in a different Massachusetts community, you can find similar services through Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333. For other food pantries, meal programs, language interpreters, and other resources in Lowell, please click here.

Nobody should ever go to bed hungry

There are many ways that you can be involved in helping to get food on their table.

Donating Food To The Pantry

Donations from individuals and business are appreciated. All donations can be dropped off during the pantry’s open hours.

The Open Pantry is always in need of perishable and non-perishable items. These include:
Canned vegetables, canned fruits, fruit juices, canned beef, turkey or chicken, canned soups and stews, tuna, pasta, cereal, powdered milk, macaroni & cheese, rice, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter, and beans.

Occasionally, we distribute toiletries including soap, toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, toothpaste, and shampoo.  

Depending on availability, we also provide diapers, wipes, baby formula, baby food, and cat/dog food upon request.

During Thanksgiving and Christmas, frozen turkeys, chickens, ham/canned ham or side dishes may be welcomed as donation items. Please check with the pantry prior to donating.

Donating Funds

No one should ever go to bed hungry! Click for more information.

The Open Pantry uses money to purchase food from the Greater Boston Food Bank for our clients and cover the cost of operating the facility. With the pantry being a tax exempt 501c(3) organization, your contributions are fully tax-deductible. We are happy to accept donations made in honor or in memory of your loved ones.

You can make an online donation or write a check payable to The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell and mailed to:

The Open Pantry
PO Box 7258
Lowell, MA 01852

If you would like to discuss planned giving or other methods of contribution to support The Open Pantry, please email director@theopenpantry.org, call 978-453-6693, or visit us during our open hours.

Starting a Food Drive Or Collection Box

Food drives and collection boxes are a great way to raise local awareness about the need for food and other necessities in our local community and encourage others to help. Throughout the years, the Open Pantry has received much support from the local churches. In addition to monetary donations, some churches set aside a specific Sunday each month for parishioners to bring food. Many also have food collection boxes.

Adults, youth, or high school students are welcome to start a food drive or set up a collection box in their company, organization or school.

If you need more information, please email director@theopenpantry.org, call 978-453-6693, or visit us when we are open.

Organizing a Fundraising Event

The pantry is looking for a volunteer with fundraising experience who can either organize a fundraiser or help the pantry to start one. This could be a great opportunity for a student looking for an internship.

If you are interested in organizing such an event, please email director@theopenpantry.org, call 978-453-6693, or visit us during the pantry’s hours of operation.

Volunteering

Please donate your time and talents: Volunteer!

Volunteers are needed to drive a truck to and from the food banks, unload the truck, stock shelves, perform client intakes, pack bags for clients, and help at events, along with many other pantry duties. Additionally, volunteers can be involved in helping out at the four external food distributions sites.

Join The Open Pantry family and make a difference in the community. Check out our volunteer form to see the opportunities available. We look forward to working with you!

About The Pantry

The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell was established in 1981 as the first food pantry in Lowell and is a tax exempt 501c(3) organization devoted to relieving hunger in the Greater Lowell community. Click below to learn more.

Contact Us

Feel free to call us at 978-453-6693 during pantry’s hours of operation.

Mailing Address

The Open Pantry of Greater Lowell
13 Hurd Street
PO Box 7258
Lowell, MA 01852

978-453-6693

The Open Pantry is a proud member of the following community groups: