Tewksbury Community Pantry Launches New Website

Residents looking to help out or to access assistance can more easily find relevant information

The Tewksbury Community Pantry has been helping residents since 1995. With its new website, treasurer and director Todd Johnson says the board hopes to reach even more of those in need in our community.

“We are pleased to launch our updated website,” said Johnson, who recently stepped down as chair of the Select Board. “The website address is the same, at www.tewksburypantry.org, but the site has a completely new and improved look. We hope it is more user friendly for those who support the pantry through donations or volunteering, as well as those who may need to access food support.”

The Pantry just launched a drive to recruit volunteers for the Postal Carrier Food Drive held every year. For 2024, that drive will be May 11. The Pantry needs people to sort the collected food and assist with setup and cleanup. If you can help, learn more and sign up here. Organizer and Pantry director Jomarie Buckley is available to answer questions.

If you are a Tewksbury resident and need nutritional assistance, you can get help from the Pantry. While USDA and MEFAP programs have certain income guidelines, anyone can receive some basics to make it through the month. The Pantry offers a mix of dry goods, like cereal and pasta, and fresh produce, meat and cheese when available.

To access assistance, first pick up a copy of the application at the Pantry building during a food distribution, or at any Tewksbury house of worship, the Public Library, the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall or the Senior Center. You can also download a printable application here. 

Fill out the application and bring it, along with a license listing your Tewksbury address and a current utility bill, to the next distribution. The Pantry is open three days each month, including one Saturday and Sunday. The calendar is here.

Residents can help in three ways. The simplest is to make a monetary donation online or by sending a check or dropping off gift cards. The donations page is here. The Pantry is a nonprofit, so donations are deductible.

You can also drop food items in bins at most grocery stores or at various places around town. TJ Callahan’s has a bin in its lobby, for example, as does the Library. There is also a box at the front of the pantry.

If you would like to organize a food drive or do a service project, check out the new FAQs page or contact the Pantry at volunteer@tewksburypantry.org or (978) 858-2273.

“As always, we are grateful for all the generous support we receive from the greater Tewksbury community to assist those less fortunate among us,” said Johnson. “Sadly, the need is always there; but Tewksbury has always risen to the level needed to meet our community’s needs.