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5 ways to help fight food insecurity in the North Shore right now
Build snack bags, donate, or sponsor a community meal.
With the country in the longest-ever government shutdown — which could end as early as Monday — SNAP benefits have been restored for recipients this month. Still, some in Massachusetts are finding ways to support families in need of food assistance or mobilizing their own community efforts.
In the Bay State, more than one million people are impacted by the SNAP cuts, according to the Mass. SNAP Resource Hub. Among those recipients, 32 percent are children, 31 percent are people with disabilities, and 26 percent are seniors.
Boston.com has gathered a list of practical ways to support some of the organizations, community fridges, and mutual aid efforts addressing food insecurity.
Below, here are 5 ways to volunteer or donate in the North Shore.
5 ways to help fight food insecurity in the North Shore right now
- Build snack bags at the Beverly Bootstraps’ food pantry: Organize a food drive or food locker, or build snack bags for children in need, after you apply to be a volunteer.
- Distribute food at La Colaborativa in Chelsea. Apply to be a volunteer or donate to the organization which opened a new food pantry for Chelsea residents.
- Buy a Thanksgiving meal at The Salem Pantry. Donate to Salem’s food pantry that provides Thanksgiving meals to families in need, along with regular donations. You can also sign up to volunteer and help out with food distribution and administrative tasks.
- Donate food to the Lynn Community Fridge. Managed by the Lynn Family Resource Center, this fridge at the 16 City Hall Square parking lot. The fridge and pantry are open 24/7.
- Sponsor a community meal at The Open Door in Gloucester. Sign up to sponsor a community meal, donate money, or some of the pantry’s most needed items.
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