The Nantucket Emergency Food Pantry was established in 1990 as a way to provide nourishment to the less fortunate children and families within our community. This has been accomplished through the distribution of fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, meat, canned and packaged goods to those in need here on Nantucket Island. The Food Pantry operates under the auspices of the Nantucket Interfaith Council of Churches.

With the increasingly high cost of living here on Nantucket many families struggle to meet the daily demands of housing costs & utility bills which may sometimes leave them unable to provide for other necessities of life, such as food. Often, these families do not qualify for government social programs. Other times people are faced with a personal, medical, or financial crisis which may create a temporary need for assistance. To those situations we are able to respond immediately without the lengthy application process of so many other programs. We are here for those in need year round and our services are as close as a phone call. No one is turned away. We can be reached at 508-228-7438.

Food Pantry clients cover the entire spectrum of people here on Nantucket. Many are families just trying to make ends meet; others are single-parent families, elderly, disabled, unemployed or those in temporary crisis. The Food Pantry is located at 20 Fair Street in the basement of the St. Paul’s Parish House. The Food Pantry is open on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 4PM-6PM where clients are welcomed on a walk-in basis. Clients are greeted by our friendly staff of volunteers. A short interview with Kevin Dugan, the Food Pantry Director, is all that is needed and a grocery shopping list is prepared. The staff of volunteers then assist the clients in selecting needed groceries consisting of several bags of fresh fruit & vegetables, meat, dairy, canned goods and other staples. Emergency deliveries can also be arranged on an as-needed basis for those who are unable to come directly to the Food Pantry.

The Food Pantry is able to achieve this mission through the generous donations of the community. Food drives are held throughout the year by the local schools, both public and private, the Nantucket Cottage Hospital, and other community organizations. The Food Pantry also has drop boxes located at area churches, and the ‘Sconset Post Office. Private donations of unopened and sealed canned and packaged goods may be left at these drop boxes. We respectfully request anyone wishing to leave donations please check the expiration dates of your donations to be sure they have not passed the expiration date.

Although we receive canned goods and packaged goods from our food drive efforts and area drop boxes, money is needed on a weekly basis to purchase substantial amounts of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy products in order to satisfy the increasing demand. This is accomplished through funds received from the Town of Nantucket, private donations, support from various community organizations and many fund-raising events held throughout the year such as the Annual Chef’s Dinner.