Reading Food Pantry shares gratitude and unveils plans for 2026 Community Kitchen

(2-3 minute read)

As 2025 comes to a close, the Reading Food Pantry is expressing deep gratitutde for the volunteers, supporters, and community members who helped make another year of service possible. In a year marked by rising need, Executive Director Simone Payment shared a heartfelt message reflecting on the organization’s impact and outlining exciting plans for the year ahead.

Payment emphasized that the pantry’s strength comes from the people behind it - from volunteers who give their time with “open hearts” to the neighbors who rely on the pantry for support, to donors who continue to invest in its mission. “Your generosity, time, encouragement, and belief in our mission are making a life-changing difference in our community,” she wrote in a year-end newsletter.

As the year-end approaches, the Food Pantry is encouraging residents to consider supporting families and individuals facing food insecurity. Demand continues to grow, with more Reading residents turning to the pantry than ever before. Year-end contributions directly help local households access nutritious food and essential resources as they enter 2026.

Looking toward the new year, the pantry is preparing to launch its newest initiative: the Community Kitchen. This expanded kitchen space will allow the organization to transform donated produce and ingredients into ready-to-eat meals, soups, baked goods, and other nutritious offerings. Thanks to support from the Greater Boston Food Bank, the kitchen has been significantly upgraded with new commercial refrigerators, freezers, and a stove. A dedicated volunteer team has been preparing the space, completing training, and recruiting additional hands to bring the program to life.

Payment says the Reading Food Pantry is eager to share more about the initiative in early 2026, noting that the improved kitchen will play a key role in meeting community needs with creativity, dignity, and care.

“Thank you for making 2025 a year of resilience, support, and community,” Payment wrote. “From all of us at the Reading Food Pantry, we wish you a bright, hopeful 2026.”

For more information on supporting the Pantry or contributing to year-end giving, community members are encouraged to visit the organization’s website or contact the team directly.