William James College Partners with the Newton Food Pantry to Fight Food Insecurity

New on-campus  food pantry provides no-cost groceries and personal care products to the William James community.

Food insecurity is on the rise around the country and across the Commonwealth, even on college campuses. According to recent studies almost 25% of college students in the US have experienced hunger which can have a long-term impact on their physical and mental health. A new campus-based food pantry, the result of a collaboration between William James College and the Newton Food Pantry, offers a variety of healthy shelf-stable foods and personal care products at no cost to William James College students, faculty, and staff. 

Research confirms that food insecurity disproportionately impacts both students of color and low-income students. By creating a self-serve on-campus food pantry, nutritious foods including pasta, rice, cereal, tuna, beans, and other canned goods are easily accessible to the William James community. Personal care items such as body washes and hygiene products are also available at the William James College Pantry.

“The opening of our food pantry is a natural extension of our efforts to make every member of our campus community feel welcome, safe, and cared for,” said Ann E. Coyne, EdD, William James College Dean of Students. By providing wholesome provisions to those experiencing food insecurity, we will help nourish bodies, minds, and spirits.”

The Newton Food Pantry has been an important resource for area residents for more than 40 years. From its Commonwealth Avenue location, the Newton Food Pantry offers clients access to personal care items, fresh produce, dairy products, and meat and poultry, with an emphasis on culturally appropriate foods to meet the needs of Newton’s diverse population. The Newton Food Pantry also delivers groceries to the seven Newton Housing Authority complexes and to residents who are homebound due to health challenges.

“On behalf of the Newton Food Pantry, we’re excited to partner with William James College to provide supplemental food and hygiene products to William James community members in need. With an 11% increase in food costs over the last year in Middlesex County, the need to alleviate food insecurity has never been greater. We’re grateful to William James College for their collaboration and commitment to create greater access to nutritious food,” shared Rebecca Diamonstein, College Connector, Newton Food Pantry. 

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About William James College

Founded in 1974, William James College is an independent, non-profit institution and a leader in educating the next generation of mental health professionals to support the growing and diverse needs of the mental health workforce. Integrating field work with academics, the College prepares students for careers as organizational leaders and behavioral health professionals who are committed to helping the underserved, multicultural populations, children and families, and veterans. William James College alumni can be found making an impact in a variety of settings, including schools, the courts, clinical care facilities, hospitals, the community, and the workplace. To learn more about the College, please visit williamjames.edu.

About the Newton Food Pantry

The Newton Food Pantry is the oldest and largest pantry serving the Newton community. An independent, non-profit organization, founded in 1983, the Newton Food Pantry aims to alleviate food insecurity in Newton by providing supplemental food and personal care products to community members in need, serving  clients with dignity, compassion, and respect.

The Newton Food Pantry serves more than 2,100 Newton residents through bi-monthly choice shopping and deliveries. In addition, countless others are served through off-site initiatives including the Newton Community freedge, the Lasell University Dry Pantry and the William James College Dry Pantry. A robust corps of volunteers and donors enable the food pantry to serve Newton neighbors. One Bag at a Time.

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