Food Resources

Local Food Pantries

Open Pantry of Greater Lowell provides short term food assistance in the Greater Lowell area. Originally, the open pantry was designed for those who did not qualify for any other assistance program, becoming a last resort for those in need. They provide nutritious and culturally inclusive food up to twice a month.

Central Food Ministry was created through The Lutheran Church of the Savior, and they offer a 5-day supply of food and supplies to individuals and families every 30 days. In addition to the commonly donated canned items, they also provide fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meat.

Catholic Charities Merrimack Valley not only provides emergency food assistance, but also connects those in need of additional resources to their respective organizations, for example health, housing, and translation services.

Dwelling House of Hope provides a food pantry that is open weekly, where prepackaged boxes of food are available for pick up every week. The church receives donations from stop n shop, trader joes, and Walmart to help service those in need.

Mobile Food Markets

Mill City Grows is a community organization focused on providing access to those in need to access to locally grown produce. They also sponsor local mobile markets and work with individuals and families on SNAP eligibility.

Mobile Market through the Great Boston Food Bank: Families are welcome to come and shop from a diverse selection of fresh produce, dairy products, and high protein items.

Housing Resources

Community Teamwork Inc. (CTI) has nine program and service sites in Lowell and Lawrence and Wakefield and serve residents across 63 cities and towns in Middlesex and Essex Counties. They provide opportunities for low-income families to become stable and self-sufficient.

The Lowell Housing Authority is a full social service organization that works with a range of other organizations to provide a full and comprehensive service to those in need. They help people find safe and affordable housing, assist in applications for other social service programs, and a variety of other helpful services.

Public Assistance

Axuda is a non-profit organization providing an online, crowd-funding platforms for borrowers to make a loan request.  Axuda provides up to $600 loan to UML students who are in financial need.  Loans can be used but not limited to the following: 

  • Car Repairs
  • Medical Bills
  • Utilities and Rent
  • Groceries
  • Text Books 
Must email uml_strive@uml.edu to receive application materials.  You may also visit axuda.org to learn more about the program.  

MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) administers the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Many students are eligible for SNAP benefits but don’t know about it. SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps, provides a monthly benefit to buy nutritious foods. To get SNAP, you must be low-income and be a U.S. citizen or legal noncitizen (restrictions apply). Eligibility for SNAP benefits depend on financial and non-financial criteria.

Women, Infants, & Children Nutrition Program (WIC)i s a federal assistance program to provide nutritious food to low-income pregnant, breastfeeding or non-breastfeeding postpartum mothers and children younger than 5 years old. They also educate the public about healthy eating and help with health care referrals. The WIC federal grants are available to be used at certain grocery stores in every town. There is a list of locations that accept WIC on the WIC website.