Community Corner
The Salem Pantry Serves 33K Yearly Meals Amid Growing North Shore Need
The nonprofit said at its annual Impact Breakfast that it is preparing to expand regional distribution.
SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry brought donors, volunteers, elected officials and community partners together for its third annual Impact Breakfast at the Hawthorne Hotel, where speakers pointed to growing food access needs across the North Shore and outlined plans for expansion.
The Salem Pantry said it served 33,000 individuals across the North Shore in 2025, including 13,000 children and 3,000 seniors. The organization also said it supported more than 20 food access organizations providing food in their communities.
Speakers also previewed a strategic initiative to expand The Salem Pantry’s regional distribution efforts, including the build-out of a new 26,000-square-foot facility on the border of Lynn and Peabody. The site will include large-scale cold storage, freezer space and expanded distribution capacity intended to support more partner agencies across the region.
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"The hub we are building, the programs we are growing, the partners we are strengthening, all of it is designed for precisely this moment," said Robyn Burns, Executive Director of The Salem Pantry. "A moment when our community needs us to be bigger, faster, and more reliable than we have ever been.
"We are ready to meet that moment. But we cannot do it alone."
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The breakfast also included awards for seven people and organizations recognized for strengthening food access over the past year.
Wendy Meigs of Salem was named Volunteer of the Year.
Witch City Wicks received Small Business Partner of the Year.
Institution for Savings was named Business Partner of the Year.
SPUR received Community Partner of the Year.
Whole Foods Market was named Distribution Partner of the Year.
Amy Chruniak, community school director at the Robert L. Ford School, received the Food Security Champion award.
The Essex County Community Foundation received the Leadership Award.
The event was sponsored by Institution for Savings, Salem Harbor Station and Spire Investments. Awards were provided by Print House.
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