Tom Gifford Food Pantry
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Location:
Located at our main offices at 371 Cabot Street, Beverly MA.
Food Pantry Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday- 11:00am –12:30pm
*Please note as of May 1, 2012 the Food Pantry is NOT open on Tuesday's from 11am-12:30pm. This closure is due to accommodate large delivery's and restocking. For a full report, click here.
Tuesday & Wednesday- 5:00 - 6:00pm
For more information, please call Kathy Kirlis or Julia Andrews at 978-927-1561
First time food pantry client registration will no longer be held during regular pantry hours. To register, please visit Monday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday 9:00am - 10:30am or Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon 4:30 - 5:00pm. No appointment necessary.
Visits to our Food Pantry:
Beverly and Manchester residents may visit our Food Pantry every 14 days and must bring a piece of mail postmarked within the last 30 days. Pantry visitors are given an emergency/supplemental food package valued at $35.
Food delivery is available bi-weekly for elderly and handicapped residents who are not able to get to the food pantry.
Providing healthy food to families in need
The Food Pantry relies heavily on donations from the community including both individual donations and food drives.
Click here for food drive guidelines. Due to Board of Health regulations, we are only able to accept pre-packaged, non-expired food items. We can not accept home baked foods.
In 2011, the Food Pantry served over 2,700 clients from Manchester and Beverly.
A typical bag of non-perishable items given out includes:
Canned vegetables- Baked beans
- Canned tuna or chicken*
- Spaghetti sauce*
- Fruit*
- Peanut butter*
- Canned pasta (Spaghettios)
- Canned soup
- Macaroni and cheese
- Pasta
- Rice*
- Cereal*
* items generally in short supply
A second bag of perishable items includes:
- Milk
- Bread*
- 1 lb package of meat
- Cheese, eggs or yogurt when available
A third bag of groceries may be filled with donated items that do not fit into the above categories.
Non Food Items available when in supply:
Personal care items such as:
- toothpaste
- shampoo
- toilet paper
- laundry detergent
- soap
- children’s sunscreen
- diapers (especially size 3 and larger), baby wipes, and baby food
Food Pantry Dedication
During Beverly Homecoming week, on Tuesday, August 5, 2008, Beverly Bootstraps dedicated its Food Pantry to our Founder, Tom Gifford. With pride and humility, Tom accepted this honor from Nina Quinn, founding board member. Mayor Scanlon said a few words, and Rep. Mary Grant bestowed upon Tom a Congressional Citation honoring his work to eliminate hunger and its root causes in our community.
Volunteering at the Food Pantry:
- shopping for groceries
- delivering to elderly, handicapped and other families otherwise unable to get to our pantry
- picking up food donations
- conducting personal food drives (Click here for Food Drive Guidelines)
- working in the pantry (stock shelves, sort food, fill bags)
Our greatest need for Pantry Volunteers is during the holiday seasons. To volunteer, go to our Volunteer section.
Fun Ways to Collect Food Pantry Donations
- Are you having a pool party, cook out or block party? Have your guests bring canned goods to donate to the food pantry.
- Are you graduating or having an important birthday? Instead of receiving gifts, have your friends and family donate food, clothing, etc to Bootstraps.
- Next time you are in a local supermarket, send your children on a scavenger hunt with a list of our top ten food items and deliver them to our main office Monday-Fridays from 8:30am to 4pm or drop them in our collection boxes outside of the supermarket.