SALEM — Salem State University will join Citizens Inn and The Salem Pantry, with funding from the Brace Cove Foundation, on a new initiative to address food insecurity in Salem and at the university. The Fresh Harvest Pop Up Stand, a cost-free mobile food pantry, opens Wednesday.
Citizens Inn, which houses the Haven from Hunger food pantry and community-meals program, has reported that Salem residents, many of whom are Salem State students, are the largest population served by the organization, despite the fact that it is located in Peabody.
Beginning March 6 and returning on the first and third Wednesdays of every month, the stand will open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 68 Loring Avenue near Salem State’s Central Campus.
The stand will also be located at Espacio, the North Shore Community Development Coalition’s community room at 105 Congress St. in the Point neighborhood, on the second and fourth Saturdays of every month beginning March 16.
The stand will operate much like a traditional food pantry, with food provided to Salem residents and Salem State students at no cost. A truck will deliver food to each location, with food being displayed and dispersed by volunteers. The majority of the Fresh Harvest Pop Up Stand’s offerings will be fresh produce, with a selection of shelf-stable foods.
No pre-registration is necessary to participate in the mobile pantries, but a proof of residency (photo ID and a piece of mail that has been delivered to the home address and dated within the last 30 days) or a SSU student ID will be required.
The Salem Pantry has operated a monthly food pantry for Salem residents at 211 Bridge St. since 1991. Citizens Inn Haven from Hunger, 71 Wallis St. in Peabody, operates a pantry for residents of Peabody, Salem and Lynnfield from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., as well as a community meal from 5 to 6 p.m. every weekday except Wednesdays.
