Cape Ann Rallies Around The Open Door for Hunger Action Month

GLOUCESTER— As September arrives, local officials and businesses are rallying around The Open Door to raise awareness about local food insecurity. 

September is Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign led each year by the Feeding America Network. As food insecurity worsens locally and across the country due to changes to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the need for help is even greater. 

“Nonprofits like The Open Door were never designed to serve as a substitute for programs like SNAP. Our team works hard to maximize every resource and plan for the future, but demand continues to outpace what any single organization can provide. We rely on the commitment of elected officials, donors, volunteers, and community members to help ensure no one in our region goes hungry,” said Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO. 

The Open Door met a 36% increase in requests for food assistance in 2025, on top of 30% increases in both 2024 and in 2023. The trend has continued into 2026.  

Hunger Action Month Events 

On Tuesday, Mayor Paul Lundberg issued a proclamation naming September Hunger Action Month. He was joined by Sen. Bruce Tarr and Rep. Dru Tarr. 

The proclamation was issued at Second Glance, thrift store of The Open Door, to coincide with a shopping event featuring orange items (orange is the color used to raise hunger awareness).  

The Gloucester City Council will also wear orange at its Tuesday, Sept. 8 meeting to raise hunger awareness, and will hear a presentation from The Open Door.  

The Open Door will also hold its annual Thrift the Runway event at The Cut on Main Street on Sunday, Sept. 13 as part of its Hunger Action Month awareness campaign. Tickets for the event are sold out.  

Local Businesses Light the Way 

Throughout Hunger Action Month, local businesses across Cape Ann are helping shine a light on food insecurity through The Open Door’s “Light the Way” campaign. Participating businesses will display Hunger Action Month window clings and mason jar lanterns to raise awareness and spark conversations about hunger in the community. 

City Hall, the Beauport Hotel, and Second Glance will also be lit up orange throughout the month of September to help raise awareness. Beauport Hospitality has also organized a fundraiser to collect donations for Hunger Action Month through QR codes placed at its restaurants, 1606 Restaurant & Bar and the Seaport Grille.  

Orange-Themed Treats with a Purpose 

Several local businesses are participating in Hunger Action Month by offering special orange-themed treats and beverages, using food and fun to spark meaningful conversations about hunger awareness.  

Participating businesses include: 

• The Cut LIVE – featuring a special orange-inspired cocktail 

• Turtle Alley Chocolates – chocolate bar embossed with the word “LOVE” 

• Cake Ann – cupcakes 

• Minglewood – ongoing cornbread special 

• Brothers Brew (Rockport) – orange frosted donuts 

Share Your Why on Social Media 

Elected officials, donors, volunteers, staff, and everyone who supports The Open Door mission to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community is invited to participate in the nonprofit’s “Share Your Why” social media campaign.  

Participants can: 

• Post their personal stories or messages supporting local hunger-relief on social media 

• Tag @theopendoorma 

• Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to join the conversation 

For more information, click here.

About The Open Door    

The mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. We use practical strategies to connect people to good food, to advocate on behalf of those in need, and to engage others in the work of building food security.   

Founded in 1978, The Open Door is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit and community food resource center for low-income residents of Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich, Hamilton, Boxford, Rowley, Topsfield, Wenham, and Georgetown.  In 2025, The Open Door distributed 2.48 million pounds of food distributed to 12,780 people through 136,851 visits. The nonprofit met a 30% increase in requests for food assistance in 2024,  through 100,774 visits.  

For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org.   

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