July 8, 2025 Newsletter
MONTHLY UPDATE
Having the 4th of July fall on a Friday gave our volunteers a welcome break. In June, they filled 1,230 requests for food assistance. They filled an average of 308 requests each week which required picking, bagging and loading an average of 1,294 bags into cars or delivering to guests who have transportation issues and cannot pick up. Each week, our guests can choose from over 400 items which require our volunteers to pick an average of 10,000 items. Our guests request an average of 4 bags of groceries. In 8 hours, (480 minutes), our amazing volunteers are able to accurately process 308 orders, which is an average of one order every 90 seconds. It is an amazing operation when you think about what our volunteers accomplish every week.
The primary reason our guests can choose from over 400 different items is due to the diversity of items that are donated to the pantry. In June, we distributed 49,798 pounds of food. Of that total, the community donated 45%, 7% was purchased locally and 48% was donated or purchased from the Greater Boston Food Bank. It should be noted that if someone donates several of an item, we make it available for our guests to choose on a first come, first serve basis. One-of-a-kind items are placed on shelves in the parking lot so that guests who pick up their order can select them.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Deb and Peter Zoltai
Peter and Debra started volunteering at the Newbury Food Pantry in 2020, making weekly calls to guests during the height of the pandemic. For many seniors living alone, those calls were more than just taking an order — they were a lifeline of connection, kindness, and care during an uncertain time.
Since then, the Zoltai's have continued calling guests every week, building meaningful relationships and offering both food and friendship.
One of their most memorable moments? Hosting a neighborhood block party where guests brought donations for the pantry — raising 380 pounds of food and $950 while having fun and building community!
What keeps them coming back? Debra shares: “I’m proud to be part of an organization so focused on helping others and improving as the need grows.” Peter adds: “If you have kindness in your heart and a desire to help, the pantry is a wonderful way to make a difference — and maybe even some new friends.”
Join amazing volunteers like Peter & Debra and help us serve our community! Email info@newburyfoodpantry.org to get started.
“The Cost Of Hunger in Massachusetts”
The Greater Boston Food Bank, in collaboration with Mass General Brigham, recently published the 2025 Statewide Food Access Report. The report helps us to better understand the persistent challenges of food insecurity and to understand and quantify the societal impact of food insecurity. In 2024, more than 1 in 3 Massachusetts households, approximately 2 million adults reported food insecurity at some point over the last 12 months. Food insecurity has grown from 19% in 2019 to 37% in 2024. Rising Heat & Electricity, Housing and Medical Care all contribute to food insecurity as families struggle to pay their bills.
We are extremely grateful for the generous support of our donors and volunteers that enable us to assist our neighbors in need of food assistance. Addressing food insecurity is a community wide effort, and we could not do our part without your help. If you would like to receive a pdf of the “Cost of Hunger in Massachusetts”, email us info@NewburyFoodPantry.org and we will be happy to email you a pdf copy.
Amazon
Thanks to the Lions Club for facilitating the Pantry's ability to obtain generous donations (5 pallets with each donation, 5-10 pallets per month) from Amazon. The donations include food, personal care products and pet food. The pet food supplements the Elder Pet Fund's supply of pet food. The Elder Pet Fund partners with the Pantry to provide the pet food that the Pantry distributes weekly to our guests with pets..
Calling all Gardeners
If you have a produce garden and would be interested in donating extra from your abundance, please bring what you have to the pantry on Thursday's between 9:30 and 1:00.
Thank you in advance!!
Our Seasonal Farmer's Market
Our Summer Farmer's Market has been open now since June 20. Guests who pick up their orders on Fridays are able to touch and feel as they make selections for their families from the wide variety of farm fresh offerings.
Be Well Study
Our food pantry has been part of a small group of food pantries that was chosen to participate in the Be Well Study sponsored by Mass General Brigham Hospital and the Greater Boston Food Bank. The goal of the study is to evaluate how their color-coding system influences guests to make healthier food choices. Foods are ranked based on the amount of Sodium, Saturated Fat and Added Sugars each item has.
We recently received our 6-month Healthy Pantry Certification Report Card and are happy to report that we are on track to receive the Greater Boston Food Bank Healthy Pantry Seal of Approval. The approval process takes 12 months. We are in the process of reviewing our 3-page report card to see where we can improve our overall score so we continue to qualify for the Healthy Pantry Seal of Approval.
LORETTA FUNDRAISER
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 starting at 5PM
Our Loretta fundraiser continues… Wednesday, July 9. Starting at 5 pm, Loretta will donate part of the proceeds to the Pantry. Plan on dinner out (take out or eat in). You'll see a lot of familiar faces as the community turns out to support our work. We suggest that you make reservations in advance.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
As our work has expanded to help more neighbors in our community, our need for volunteers has increased. Volunteer opportunities include calling our guests to take their orders on Wednesday, staffing four shifts throughout the day on Friday to fulfill grocery orders for our guests, and assisting in the occasional Food Drive or other special projects on Saturdays.
Here is what our volunteers are saying:
"It’s a real pleasure to work in concert with such friendly, organized people. I loved the fast pace and the way the hours raced by."
"Such an awesome organization. So glad to be a part of this community effort."
"I really enjoy volunteering with you and everyone else at the pantry. It's such important work for the community and everyone is so welcoming and kind."
Come join us! Email Barbara at info@newburyfoodpantry.org to let her know you are interested.
FOOD DONATIONS
We accept food donations every Thursday from 9:30 am -1 pm. If you are not able to drop off at that time, please contact us at info@newburyfoodpantry.org or call 978-358-1077 to arrange another time.
Our most requested items include Coffee, Tea, Flour, Sugar, Baking Mixes, Cereals, Pasta Sides, Jello and Pudding Mixes, Jelly, Broths, Soups, and Toilet Paper.