The Salem Pantry Distributes More Than 2K Thanksgiving Meals

SALEM, MA — More than 2,000 families across the North Shore will be able to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with the help of The Salem Pantry as unprecedented demand for food insecurity services continues.

Families visited The Market to collect their main course options and shop for other groceries, including fresh produce, pantry staples, eggs, and milk to complete their holiday meals.

"We know that the holidays are a potentially vulnerable time for many in our community," The Salem Pantry Executive Director Robyn Burns said. "While food insecurity is a year-round issue, November is always the busiest month of the year for our programs and we are working hard to meet this community need."

Burns said The Salem Pantry prepared for an even larger holiday rush this year given the growing demands on its services. She said that The Pantry was able to meet the demand with the help of donors, volunteers and community partners.

Turkeys and chickens were sourced from The Greater Boston Food Bank, Gordon Foods, and other vendors.

The Salem Pantry was one of 12 community partners to receive a share of $180,000 in Gratitude Grants from the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, aimed at supporting families in the community during the holiday season.

In addition to 2,000 meals distributed at The Market, The Salem Pantry served another 700 families through mobile pantry sites in Salem, Lynn, Marblehead, and Swampscott during the week before Thanksgiving.

North Shore residents can support The Salem Pantry through monetary donations or volunteering here.

(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.)