Amid increased food insecurity brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Salem Pantry is expanding the frequency of its pop-up food pantry located on Salem State University’s campus and open to all Salem residents. As of September 2, the previously bi-weekly service now offers free groceries from 10 am to 12 pm every Wednesday. The Salem Pantry Pop-Up at Salem State is located at 68 Loring Avenue.
“The economic fallout of this pandemic has caused more and more families to become food insecure, threatening the health and wellbeing of our residents and communities here in Salem,” said Robyn Burns, executive director of The Salem Pantry. “We are grateful for the partners and supporters who have positioned us to meet this greater demand with more services.”
“Unfortunately, colleges are not immune to the problem of food insecurity,” said Salem State University President John Keenan. “Salem State is very aware of the increased financial pressures brought by the pandemic, and we are grateful that this partnership will play an even larger role as a valuable supplement to our student food pantry.”
The Salem Pantry also provides a bi-weekly pop-up food pantry at Espacio on Congress Street, and those dates and times are available at TheSalemPantry.org/programs.
Salem State students, faculty, and staff are asked to show their ClipperCard to access food. City of Salem residents will be asked to complete a one-time registration form upon arrival. The pantry will not turn anyone away. Masks are required in Salem Pantry Pop-Ups and physical distancing procedures are in place.
The pop-up food pantry at Salem State was launched in 2019 as a partnership with Salem State University, Citizens Inn and The Salem Pantry, with generous funding from the Brace Cove Foundation.
In addition to its Pop-Up food pantry program, The Salem Pantry operates a weekly family grocery assistance program with Salem Public Schools and a household delivery program to vulnerable members of the community. Learn more at TheSalemPantry.org.