Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes! Call us at 978-283-6776. Our staff are happy to help you schedule an in-person shopping appointment over the phone. We are also here to help answer any questions you have, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You can also email us at gethelp@foodpantry.org.
A: We have a translation service available via phone at 978-283-6776 with many languages available. You can also email us at gethelp@foodpantry.org and we will either call you back or reply in your language.
Our grocery appointment scheduling is also available in Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Arabic, in addition to English.
Even if you are fluent in English, if you’d prefer using a translation service, please let us know.
A: If you are a new client of The Open Door OR are returning to us after two or more years, you will need to fill out our “New Shopper” online form. The form will ask basic questions about you and your household. We aim to process “New Shopper” profiles within one to two business days.
Current shoppers already have a profile and can schedule a shopping appointment by logging in with their Shopper ID and password (more information on this below).
A; You will get an email with your username and password once your profile has been approved. Once you do you can schedule an in-person shopping appointment right away at our scheduling page.
A: Your Shopper ID is the first four letters of your last name, with the first letter capitalized, followed by your two-digit month of birth and two-digit day of birth.
For example, if John Smith was born on May 1, his Shopper ID would be Smit0501.
Your password is your six-digit date of birth. For example, if Smith was born in 1960, his password would be 050160.
If this format does not work for you, email us at gethelp@foodpantry.org or call us at 978-283-6776.
A: Limited delivery is available for medical necessity and limited general hardship cases. To learn more, call 978-283-6776.
A: Some of the food we offer comes from The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) administered by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). The USDA requires us to ask this question each time you get food from us. To qualify you must meet their income guidelines, which you can see here.
A: Clients may get groceries once every week. For example, if you had an in-person shopping appointment on Monday, your next appointment can be scheduled on or after the following Monday.
A: Come directly to our Gloucester Food Pantry Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Thursday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. OR to our Ipswich Community Food Pantry Wednesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tell our staff or volunteers when you arrive that you need a quick trip, and we will provide you with basic grocery staples for the week. We also offer quick trip grocery orders tailored for those without access to a kitchen. You can make limited adjustments to your quick trip order, for example if you have an infant and need diapers let our staff know and they will add those to your quick trip.
Our same-day pickups are intended for those who need food immediately or whose schedule is unpredictable and does not allow them to make an appointment in advance.
If you are able to schedule an appointment online in advance to shop for your groceries, we recommend you do so instead of coming directly to our pantries for a quick trip. Making an appointment in advance will give you full choice over what is included in your order, so that you can pick and choose the items that meet you and your family’s taste, preferences, and dietary needs.
A: Call us at 987-283-6776. One of our staff will be able to grant you access to view all of the items available to you. PLEASE ALSO CALL IF YOU HAVE A BABY OR A OLDER ADULT IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD, as we can grant you access to view additional items available for these populations as well.
A: Call us at 978-283-6776.