The Shepherd's Pantry

The Shepherd's Pantry was formed in 2000 in a joint effort to help feed the hungry in the general Fairhaven area. A group of volunteers from five Fairhaven churches: The Church of Good Shepherd, St. Mary's, St. Joseph's, Unitarian Memorial and Trinity Lutheran, gathered a few bags of groceries and handed them out on a cold January morning to about 12 people. We now serve an average of 300 people per week, not only from Fairhaven and New Bedford, but also from as far away as Taunton and Fall River, Marion, Acushnet, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Lakeville and Freetown. Today, more than 100 unpaid volunteers work 4 days per week to process donations of food, stock shelves, fill bags and distribute to clients. We are open to the public on Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon. We give food to anyone who asks, without restrictions.... without questions (aside from the information we need to administer the program). Clients are asked to come once every 4 weeks so that we can help as many people as possible. We became an incorporated non-profit organization in July 2002. Contributions to the Pantry are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. The Shepherd's Pantry is operated in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, age, handicap, religion or place of national origin. The Shepherd's Pantry is run entirely by volunteers. There are no paid staff members. If you feel we are providing something of value to the community and wish to show your appreciation, you can assist the Shepherd's Pantry and its users with a tax-deductible contribution.