Despite Newton’s image as an affluent suburb, too many of our neighbors struggle to put food on their tables. The Newton Freedge is one way we can help.  A free, 24/7 outdoor refrigerator and pantry, the Freedge offers food and personal supplies to anyone who needs them.

Based on the operating principle of “take what you need, leave what you can”, the Freedge is a volunteer-led initiative, organized by the Newton Food Pantry in collaboration with other local organizations. Temple Shalom is a Senior Partner in this collective and has established a Temple Shalom Freedge Team of volunteers to fulfill our responsibilities. 

We have committed to servicing the Freedge once a week, hopefully for years to come. As we move this important initiative forward, we hope our members will help support us.

Temple Shalom is responsible for several volunteer shifts on Tuesdays each week. Each shift  has a different set of responsibilities. Shift responsibilities are subject to change due to local business participation and adjustments.

Morning  Shift (8:15  -  9:30  AM)

● Pick up eight 1/2 gallons of whole milk and eight dozen eggs. You can go to the Stop and Shop on Watertown St., take a picture of your receipt and send it to Scott Shore at sshore@templeshalom.org.  Payment will be made within two weeks.
● Please refer to this Responsibilities and Guidelines document

Newton Food Pantry Pick-Up (8:00 - 9:00 AM)

● Pick-up location: Newton City Hall 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton
● Enter at Homer St. NFP entrance – east side of City Hall - toward Wellesley.

Tatte Pick-Up (8:00 AM)

● Pick-up donation at Tatte Bakery (1241 Centre St, Newton, MA 02459).  Identify yourself as being there for the Newton Freedge pickup. Pick-up must be between 8:00 and 10:00am.

Midday  Shift (12:00  -  2:00  PM)

● Pick-up at Moldova (344 Watertown St, Newton, MA 02458)
● Add dates and labels to food from these locations if needed 
● Please call the shopper and share what is predicted to be needed
● Please refer to this Responsibilities and Guidelines document

Evening  Shift (5:00  -  7:00  PM) 

● Pick-up Donation at Dunn Gaherin (344 Elliot St, Newton, MA 02464).  
● Please refer to this Responsibilities and Guidelines document

Late Night Shift (9:00 PM)

● Please pick up 6 1/2 gallons of 2% milk and eggs and bring to the Freedge. You can go to the Stop and Shop on Watertown St., take a picture of your receipt and send it to Scott Shore at shhore@templeshalom.org.  Payment will be made within two weeks. 

Substitutes

● This shift is in case any volunteers are no longer able to fulfill their duties during their scheduled shift.  Please see above for what responsibilities you will have at each of the shifts.

Food Shopper

●  If groceries are needed to restock the Freedge, a volunteer will contact you with information as to what is needed.

Please reach out to the Temple Shalom Freedge Team Team Captains:

Ethel Furst - ethelrfurst@gmail.com | 617-840-0727

Gray Schulman - gschulman@templeshalom.org | (617) 485-2229