Salem Pantry Delivers 3.7 Million Pounds of Food to North Shore Residents in 2024: Join the Fight Against Hunger!

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry recently held its second annual Impact Breakfast, raising $35,000 to tackle food insecurity on the North Shore. This event launched the Pantry’s "Rolling Into Summer" campaign, uniting community and political leaders to emphasize their commitment to fair food access.

Speakers included State Senator Joan Lovely, Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, and Christina Peretti from The Greater Boston Food Bank. Pangallo highlighted the Pantry’s remarkable reach: "They have served nearly 1 in 5 households in Salem over the last year." He expressed his support for their mission of providing dignified food access to every family.

The 2024 Impact Report shows that the Pantry distributed 3.7 million pounds of food last year, serving 9,560 households and benefiting over 31,500 individuals, including 12,050 children and 3,810 seniors. This is crucial, especially considering that food insecurity affects nearly 10.5% of households in the U.S., a statistic that has steadily increased since the pandemic.

Through their Food Distribution Hub, which works alongside The Greater Boston Food Bank, the Pantry supplied 697,000 pounds of food to 18 partner organizations across 12 communities. This collaboration is a key part of their effort to ease hunger in the region.

The event also recognized outstanding contributors with awards. Bonnie Henry received the Leadership Award, A and J King Artisan Bakers was named Business Partner of the Year, Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital was honored as Community Partner of the Year, and Joe Markarian was recognized as Volunteer of the Year.

Proud sponsors included Salem Five Charitable Foundation, Salem Harbor Station, and several local businesses, reflecting strong community support.

As food insecurity continues to challenge many, initiatives like the Salem Pantry’s highlight the importance of community involvement and resource sharing. These efforts create a united front against hunger, showing what can be achieved when individuals and organizations collaborate for a common goal.

For more information on food insecurity and community initiatives, visit Feeding America.

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