The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive is this Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Donate and help stock the shelves at The Open Door to feed local people through the holidays and beyond. Participating locations include:
- Market Basket at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester MA
- Stop & Shop at 6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester MA
- Shaw’s at 127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester MA
- Shaw’s at 146 High Street, Ipswich MA
- Crosby’s Marketplace at 3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea MA
- Market Basket at 231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley MA
- NEW THIS YEAR: Clothing Donation Drive at Second Glance at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA. No appointment needed, November 18 only. Clothing donations at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door, help raise revenue for local hunger-relief programs
“The Thanksgiving Food Drive is more than just a collection of food. It’s an act of kindness given by a community that cares,” President and CEO Julie LaFontaine said. “Donating an extra couple boxes of your favorite breakfast cereal, pancake mix, or a can of coffee is one tangible way to establish traditions of gratitude and show support for our neighbors not only at the holidays but in the tough winter months ahead.”
Instead of holiday fixings which have already been secured for the Thanksgiving Baskets, The Open Door is encouraging items of shelf-stable breakfast foods this year, including cereal, oatmeal, coffee, tea, maple syrup, pancake mix, waffle mix, 100% fruit juice, and granola bars. Donors are asked to please avoid donating anything in a glass container.
Already in 2023, The Open Door has seen more than a 28% increase in visits to its food pantries over 2022. The nonprofit’s kitchen also prepares approximately 3,000 meals each week.
The Open Door will also be accepting clothing donations only at its thrift store, Second Glance, with no appointment needed on Saturday, Nov. 18. Donations at Second Glance help raise revenue for hunger-relief programs of The Open Door.
Turkey for Every Table
Also on Saturday, Nov. 18, The Open Door kicks off its Holiday Basket program. Hundreds of local people will pick-up everything they need to make a special Thanksgiving meal at home, at no cost, at a drive-thru on Emerson Avenue. Holiday Baskets will continue to be distributed by The Open Door right up until the day before Thanksgiving. Holiday Baskets are also available for the December holidays.
Plenty of Holiday Baskets are available, with a turkey and all the fixings, and can be picked-up by appointment. Many pick-up slots are also available. Sign up today for a Holiday Basket for Thanksgiving and December at FOODPANTRY.org.
Members of the community who wish to make a monetary donation to help feed local people through the holidays and beyond can do so at FOODPANTRY.org/donate.
