In response to rising food insecurity rates in the region, we are expanding our food pantry capacity. According to the 2026 Massachusetts Food Access Report by the Greater Boston Food Bank and Mass General Brigham, the number of households in the state of Massachusetts facing food insecurity has increased from 19% in 2019 to 40% in 2025. Food insecurity is defined as being unable to afford enough to eat or worrying about where one’s next meal may come from. The growing need is compounded by the addition of nearly 48,000 children in Massachusetts who have lost access to SNAP benefits over the past 12 months.
We have seen the increase in need firsthand at our food pantry in Quincy. Interfaith Social Services operates one of Greater Boston’s largest emergency food pantries and in response to the growing need, we’re taking measures to increase capacity in order to serve all those who turn to us for help. As of July 6, our food pantry will permanently expand hours to offer more time for food pickup.
NEW PANTRY HOURS
New hours at our Quincy food pantry are 9:30am-12pm, Monday through Friday. The food pantry is also open on Wednesday evenings, by appointment.
“We’re seeing the aftereffects of these alarming statistics every day at Interfaith,” said Interfaith Social Services’ Executive Director Rick Doane. “You’ve probably seen the long lines outside our building. We are expanding hours to hopefully decrease those lines and provide more time for clients to access help. Each month this year we’ve seen a 20% increase in food pantry visits compared to last year. Families are struggling to keep up with rising costs, seniors on fixed incomes are having trouble affording food, and hardworking individuals are having to make difficult choices between paying rent and buying groceries.”
Interfaith Social Services is a safety net for South Shore individuals and families. In addition to the food pantry, we also operate a mental health counseling center, Thrift Shop, and homelessness prevention program.
NEED HELP?
Those seeking food assistance are encouraged to visit InterfaithSocialServices.org/food to learn how to become a food pantry client. Interfaith’s food pantry serves residents of Braintree, Cohasset, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, Scituate and Weymouth. Clients are served once every 30 days. Those in need of additional assistance or who reside in other communities are encouraged to call the Project Bread Food Source Hotline at 1-800-645-8333.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Interfaith’s food pantry saw more than 20,900 visits from neighbors in need last year. While we rescue more than 500,000 pounds of surplus food from local supermarkets each year, it is not enough to meet the need.
“Our food rescue program is an integral part of our operations and keeps millions of pounds of food out of the waste stream,” said Doane. “However, it’s not enough to provide complete, healthy meals to our clients. We supplement food rescue with purchases through our wholesale partners in order to provide families with fresh produce, milk, eggs, meats and personal care products. This ensures our clients are getting the nutritious foods and items they need to lead healthy lifestyles.”
Increased visits to our food pantry over the past five years have caused our food budget to grow by more than 600%.
We are asking the public to help us expand capacity to meet the increased need. Tax deductible donations can be made online HERE or via check mailed to Interfaith Social Services, 105 Adams St., Quincy, MA 02169. A generous donor has pledged to match $30,000 of donations received.
We are also currently in search of a larger facility to house our food pantry program to better serve the community. Have any leads? Contact us at info@interfaithsocialservices.org.