10+ Years of Neighbors Helping Neighbors in Need

The North End Food Pantry was founded in March 2013 by Thom Fluery, who recognized a need to support children at C.P. Smith Elementary School, where he served as principal. The pantry, operating from donated space in the basement of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge on North Avenue, served just three individuals on its first day.

Over the years, the pantry has experienced significant growth, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, when demand surged. At its peak, the pantry served up to 123 people in a single day. By 2020, it had raised approximately $70,000, a substantial increase from the usual $4,000 annually, thanks to generous individual donors and religious congregations.

Today’s Pantry: A Community Lifeline

The North End Food Pantry has grown from a small neighborhood effort into a key resource for hundreds of families in Burlington’s New North End. We serve around 80 households every weekend, distributing fresh produce, shelf-stable food, clothing, diapers, and menstrual products.

The pantry is powered by over 20 volunteers who help create a welcoming, respectful environment for everyone. We’ve recently expanded beyond food to ensure that basic necessities are available, and we continue to provide dignified, barrier-free support.

We’ve also taken steps to secure our future, forming a board of directors and applying for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, which will allow us to expand fundraising and services.

The pantry operates every Saturday and Sunday at the Odd Fellows Lodge on North Avenue. Fresh food is distributed at 9:00 AM sharp, and other items are available until 11:00 AM. To keep the process fair, we use a ticket system to organize the line for fresh food.

Our funding comes from individual donors, businesses, and local groups, with over $50,000 raised annually to keep shelves stocked.

The pantry is more than a distribution point — it’s a place of connection and care.