Volunteers at our Gloucester and Ipswich food pantries are an essential part of The Open Door’s mission. Help clients feel welcome and supported while they “shop” for free for the food they need to feed their families.

The Open Door warehouse is the center of our operations, ensuring successful food distribution to all ten towns and cities served by The Open Door. Work directly with warehouse staff to process, sort, stock, and organize food so it’s ready for our clients when they need it.

Volunteers make daily No Contact deliveries of meals and/or groceries to those clients who can’t come to us. Sometimes called a “health wellness check”, share your time and energy, from the comfort of your car, to make sure our most vulnerable clients get the good food they need delivered right to their door.

DUE TO COVID-19, there is currently no onsite dining. All MEAL PROGRAMs are take-out only.

In the past, volunteers have been a crucial component of The Open Door Community Meals, Family Supper, Senior Soup and Salad program and Summer Meals for Kids. While we are not currently able to welcome groups of volunteers back into our kitchen due to the ongoing pandemic, individual volunteers are welcome. To learn more, email us at volunteer@foodpantry.org.

Second Glance, the thrift store of The Open Door, provides our friends and neighbors with a fun, safe place to shop for reduced-cost items. Volunteer alongside staff members to sort through treasures, make enticing visual displays, and give customers an amazing shopping experience while raising money for hunger relief.

Due to COVID-19, there are no events currently scheduled. In prior years, volunteers could sign up to help with our annual Empty Bowl Dinner, Food Drives, Autumn Breakfast, and more. We hope to see you again soon when it is safe to do so!

We LOVE hosting businesses and community groups who want to make special memories by volunteering together. Strengthen your team culture and build connections among colleagues, all while giving back to your local community!

If you are interested in having your organization volunteer with us, please contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@foodpantry.org

If you are required to do community service as a school or graduation requirement, please contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@foodpantry.org

If you need to fulfill requirements of court ordered community service, please have your probation officer contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at volunteer@foodpantry.org