Beverly Election Day Food Drive Aims To Collect 2,024 Pounds

BEVERLY, MA — Beverly Bootstraps has set a goal of collecting 2,024 pounds of donated food for those in need at its "Vote To End Hunger" food drive on Nov. 5.

Bins will be set up at each of the city's polling locations on Election Day with voters asked to consider bringing an extra item to help combat the escalating need for food security. More than 6,000 neighbors sought assistance from Beverly Bootstraps in 2023 — an increase of more than 400 percent from the 1,300 the year prior.

Those who have already voted can donate directly through give.beverlybootstraps.org or drop off items directly at their 35 Park Street office.

Bins will be located at Ayers Ryal Side School, Beverly Public Library, McKeown School, Cove Elementary School, North Beverly Elementary School, Centerville Elementary School.

Beverly Public Schools and the citywide PTO helped in coordinating the food drive.

Top 10 Items Needed:

Peanut Butter
Boxed Pasta
Mac & Cheese
Canned Veggies
Diapers/Pullups Size 3-6 and Baby Wipes
Cereal
Tuna Fish
Cooking Oils/Sprays
Soup
Personal Hygiene items (Full Size: Shampoo/ Conditioner, Soap, Deodorant, Razors, Toothpaste/ Toothbrushes)

Other items requested often include:

Non- Dairy Shelf Stable Milk, Canned Fruit, Canned Beans, Paper Towels, Free & Clear Detergents (100 fl oz or smaller), and Household Cleaning Products

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)