Programs & Services

the open door food pantries

The Open Door Food Pantries in Gloucester and Ipswich provide free, three-to-five-day supplies of
emergency groceries to income-qualified residents of our service area.

Gloucester Food Pantry

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IPSWICH COMMUNITY FOOD PANTRY

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mobile market

The Open Door offers a variety of Mobile Markets in various locations.

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second glance THRIFT STORE

Second Glance is the Thrift Store of The Open Door. Donations of gently used clothing, shoes, household items, linens, books, CDs, furniture, jewelry, knickknacks, and artwork help fund food pantry and other food resource programs serving people on the North Shore.

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the open door meals

The Open Door hosts a variety of meal offerings: Community Meals, Senior Soup and Salad, SNAP/Food Stamp Assistance, Summer Meals for Kids and more!

medically tailored groceries

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make an appointment for snap assistance

Call 978-283-6776 ext. 201 or email snap@foodpantry.org to make an appointment.

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nutrition counseling & education

Health conditions like diabetes and heart problems can make food choices and grocery shopping feel overwhelming. Work with our Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) to come up with a healthy eating plan that works for you.

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youth job training

On Your Mark is a 12 week job training and workforce readiness program with retail and culinary tracks.

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dusky’s corner

In addition to groceries, The Open Door offers pet food for clients with dogs and cats.

Pets are family—and helping keep them fed supports household stability and the emotional comfort they provide.

What’s available: Dry and canned dog and cat food, and treats

How to get pet food: Add it to your weekly grocery order, or visit during business hours if you need it sooner

Want to donate? We welcome donations of dry and wet pet food, and dog/cat treats Monday–Friday at our Gloucester Food Pantry. Thank you for helping care for our community—humans and pets alike.

frequently asked questions

Who can get help from The Open Door?

We serve 11 cities and towns: Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Hamilton, Wenham, Boxford, Topsfield, Rowley, and Georgetown. You must also comply with current TEFAP Income Guidelines to qualify for our food services.

Where do I start?

Need food right now? Come to either food pantry during business hours to get a “Quick Trip” 3-5 day grocery supply. From there, apply online to make custom, weekly grocery orders HERE. Our team will process your application in a few business days.

If you need help with an application for SNAP benefits, email us at snap@foodpantry.org OR call 978-283-6776 and choose Option 2 to book an appointment.

Community Meals (in-person and to-go): You can also dine with us in-person M-F from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at or Gloucester Food Pantry. Meals to-go are also available at both the Gloucester Food Pantry and Ipswich Community Food Pantry during business hours.

We also offer Mobile Markets, view our full schedule here. Additional programs include Medically Tailored Groceries, Summer Meals for Kids, Holiday Meal Baskets, Nutrition Education and Workshops, referrals for Household Essentials from Second Glance and more.

The Open Door serves 11 communities: Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Hamilton, Wenham, Boxford, Topsfield, Rowley, and Georgetown. Mobile sites in Danvers and Lynn.