Stop and Read This: The Open Door Sees 36% Jump in Food Pantry Visits in 2025 

GLOUCESTER — For the third consecutive year—and the most significant yet—      The Open Door has seen a dramatic rise in visits to its Food Pantries in Gloucester and Ipswich, underscoring the growing depth of food insecurity across Cape Ann and the North Shore. 

In 2025, The Open Door experienced a 36 percent increase in requests for food assistance. This surge follows increases of 30 percent in both 2024 and 2023, compounding year over year and placing unprecedented demand on the nonprofit’s hunger-relief programs. 

“Last year, The Open Door rallied to meet the nutrition security needs of 12,780 people,” said President and CEO Julie LaFontaine. “That number tells the story of seniors surviving on fixed incomes, single parents and young families scraping by, and people working multiple jobs who still can’t get ahead. When our neighbors are pushed to the edge by job loss, illness, or a sudden change in circumstances, The Open Door is where people turn to keep food on the table.” 

The increasing need locally mirrors statewide trends. On Tuesday, The Greater Boston Food Bank released its 6th Annual Statewide Food Access Report in partnership with Mass General Brigham, stating 40% of Massachusetts households experienced food insecurity in 2025. 

“Right now, our team is preparing for the long haul,” said Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO of The Open Door. “We are strengthening our core programs and taking a hard look at how to stretch every dollar and every pound of food. This is a marathon, not a sprint—and unfortunately, food insecurity at these levels won’t disappear overnight.” 

“We are committed to meeting people where they are, with dignity, and making sure healthy food remains accessible to everyone who needs it,” LaFontaine added. 

To respond to the growing need, The Open Door has steadily expanded its programs. In 2025 alone, the nonprofit added pantry hours and increased grocery appointment capacity twice, strengthened and added Mobile Markets in high-need areas, deepened partnerships with community organizations, and provided a record number of 3,022 SNAP assistance appointments, helping households maximize their food resources. 

By the Numbers 

In 2025, The Open Door supported 12,780 people from 5,718 households, distributing 2.48 million pounds of food over 136,851 visits. 

Fresh produce made up 34 percent of all food distributed. To ensure consistent access to healthy staples, The Open Door also purchases key items wholesale, including milk, eggs, and fresh fruits and vegetables. 

The nonprofit serves 11 communities: Gloucester, Rockport, Ipswich, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Hamilton, Wenham, Topsfield, Boxford, Rowley, and Georgetown, with Mobile Market locations in Danvers and Lynn. 

These efforts were made possible by 29,688 volunteer hours. 

In addition, The Open Door’s registered dietitian nutritionist provided 134 individual nutrition counseling sessions, while the nutrition team participated in 72 community events, workshops, and classes. 

Second Glance, The Open Door’s thrift store, plays a key role in funding hunger-relief programs. In 2025, Second Glance sold 361,720 donated items, recycled 216 tons of textiles, shoes, and hard goods, and provided 182 referrals for free household essentials—including furniture, clothing, and basic home goods—to clients in need. 

To help connect local people to good food, visit FOODPANTRY.org to make a donation or learn more. 

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 helped stabilize the lives and health of 12,780 people from 5,718 households through the distribution of 2.48 million pounds of food over 136,851 visits. 

For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org. 

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