Front page

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.

How to get food from the pantry?

Visitors Entrance

200 Central St, Lowell
(Wheelchair accessible)

Happenings in the Pantry

Scroll the facebook photo to see more posted photos.

Pantry Newsletter

Shares relevant news and events about the pantry, volunteers, donors, supporters, and friends twice or three times annually

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Read Spring 2024 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 your identification and 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. Please note that the Police may take notice if the car is park for more than 5 mins.

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.

Donations from individuals and business are appreciated. All donations can be dropped off during the pantry’s open hours. You can park at 13 Hurd St, Lowell, to unload and bring in your food. Please note that the Police may take notice if the car is park for more than 5 mins.

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.

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

Or, you may also donate via Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) and select Charity #41779 to donate.

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.

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.

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.

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

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