Grocery bills keep climbing, and for many Muslim families in Massachusetts, a regular food pantry only solves half the problem. Canned vegetables and rice are welcome, but the meat on offer is rarely halal. The good news is that several Muslim-run and halal-friendly pantries operate across the state, from Roxbury to Worcester to the Merrimack Valley. Here is where to find them, what to expect, and how the rest of us can help keep their shelves full.
A quick note before you go: pantry schedules change often, especially around holidays and Ramadan. Every detail below comes from the organizations' own websites or current pantry directories, checked on Oct. 6, 2026. Please call or email before your first visit.
Boston and Roxbury
ICNA Relief New England, the social services arm of the Islamic Circle of North America, says it runs two food pantries in eastern Massachusetts, "both serving Halal food at no cost." Its pantries offer non-perishable groceries, fresh produce, halal meat vouchers and occasional snack packs. In Boston, the city's Neighborhood Food Action Collaborative guide and the Lemontree pantry directory list ICNA Relief's distribution at 1234 Columbus Ave. in Roxbury on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at noon. Lemontree notes that ID is required. ICNA Relief also says families should register first, as federal food program rules require, by emailing newengland@icnarelief.org to set up an office appointment. Its regional office is at 321-325 Washington St. in Dedham, and the phone number is 857-302-4958.
The Islamic Multi-Service Organization, known as IMSO, describes its pantry as the only Muslim-run pantry in Massachusetts approved by the state Department of Public Health and the Greater Boston Food Bank. IMSO says it serves more than 1,500 people a month. Distributions take place twice a month on Wednesdays from noon to 2 p.m. at the Dewitt Center, 122 Dewitt Drive in Roxbury, run together with the center. Directories describe rice, pantry staples, produce, bread and sometimes meat, and say registration is requested. Call IMSO at 617-442-2805 to confirm dates.
Merrimack Valley
ICNA Relief's second pantry serves the Lowell area on the third Saturday of each month. Current pantry listings place it at 99 Church St. in downtown Lowell, as a drive-thru at about 11 a.m., in partnership with Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries and the ACE Center for New Americans. The Islamic Society of Greater Lowell's website also announces an ICNA Relief halal pantry on the third Saturday at its masjid, 5 Courthouse Lane in Chelmsford, along with Saturday office hours. Because the two listings point to different addresses, email newengland@icnarelief.org or call 857-302-4958 to confirm where to go.
Worcester
The Worcester Islamic Center opened its "Food Pantry for the Needy" in its cafeteria at 248 East Mountain St. Spectrum News reported in 2024 that the volunteer-run pantry was open to anyone in the Greater Worcester area. The masjid's website lists pantry hours on Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m., Fridays from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 2 p.m. During Ramadan, the center's monthly food distribution serves close to 300 people. Its social services team also offers zakat-funded financial help and a free weekly health clinic on Thursday evenings. Email wicss@wicmasjid.org with questions.
Lexington and the western suburbs
The Muslim American Community Center of Lexington runs a community food drive that delivers groceries, including halal meat bought with donations, to more than 200 families in Lexington and Greater Boston. Distributions happen once a month, twice a month during Ramadan, and again around Eid al-Adha. Families can be referred by community groups or friends, or can reach out themselves. Volunteers visit to understand each family's situation. Contact MACCLM at Contact@MACCLM.info or 781-862-2235.
If you are not near any of these
Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline is a free, confidential statewide line at 1-800-645-8333. Counselors help callers in 180 languages and can help you find pantries and hot meals near you, check whether you qualify for SNAP and apply, and find free meals for your kids. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can also ask your local masjid directly. Many quietly help families with zakat, groceries or gift cards even when they don't run a formal pantry.
How to help
Every one of these pantries depends on volunteers and donations. ICNA Relief is looking for people to pick up food bank orders (you need to be able to lift 50 pounds), pack boxes (all ages are welcome) and drive deliveries in Lowell. MACCLM and the Worcester Islamic Center both ask for monthly gifts to buy halal meat, which is the most expensive item on any halal pantry's list. The Worcester Islamic Center also accepts drop-offs of non-perishable food during pantry hours. Your zakat and sadaqah can go a long way close to home.
The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, taught that feeding the hungry is among the best of deeds. In a state this expensive, a box of groceries and a pack of halal chicken can make a real difference for a neighbor's week.
Know a halal pantry, community fridge or masjid food program we missed? Tell us at https://masshalal.com/contact and we will add it.