The Salem Pantry Distributes 3.7 Million Pounds Of Food Across North Shore In 2024

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry honored its partner award recipients, while raising $35,000 to fight food insecurity on the North Shore, during its second annual Impact Breakfast.

The event launched the Pantry's Rolling Into Summer campaign and brought community and political leaders together to discuss their shared commitment to equitable food access.

Speakers included State Sen. Joan Lovely, Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo, and Christina Peretti of The Greater Boston Food Bank.

"They have directly served nearly 1 in 5 households in the city of Salem in the last year," Pangallo said of the Pantry. "That kind of reach is unmatched. I look forward to continuing to support The Salem Pantry's mission to ensure dignified food access for every family."

According to the 2024 Impact Report, The Salem Pantry distributed 3.7 million pounds of food across the North Shore last year. Through programs like The Market, mobile pantries, and home delivery, the organization served 9,560 households, reaching more than 31,500 people, including 12,050 children and 3,810 seniors.

The Pantry's Food Distribution Hub, operated in collaboration with The Greater Boston Food Bank, supplied 697,000 pounds of food to 18 partner organizations across 12 communities.

Award recipients
Leadership Award: Bonnie Henry
Business Partner of the Year: A and J King Artisan Bakers
Community Partner of the Year: Mass General Brigham Salem Hospital
Volunteer of the Year: Joe Markarian

Event sponsors included presenting sponsors Salem Five Charitable Foundation and Salem Harbor Station, along with Institution for Savings, Groom Construction. Johnson O’Connor. Spire Investments, Clement E Desjardins General Insurance, Garrity Insurance, Reading Cooperative Bank, St Jean’s Credit Union Charitable Foundation, Deep Why Designs, Merry Fox Realty, Mazow McCullough PC, and Print House.

(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.)