In response to the needs of our community, the Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry was started in 1992 by the parishioners at the First Baptist Church. Since then, our services have grown tremendously to meet the ongoing needs of the community.
Food Pantry
In response to COVID-19 and to allow us to limit the number of people in our building , we have made the following changes to our Food Pantry process:
• Prepared bags of food will be given to individuals/families in need based on family size. Each pantry client will receive two bags of food; one perishable and one non-perishable. By going to this model clients will spend less time in the building and will not be touching any of the food as they had in the shopping model that had been in place prior.
• We have extended our daily Food Pantry hours in an effort to keep people moving through our space and eliminate congregating in the lobby.
Masks are required in compliance with the state’s current regulations.
Hours of Operation
Monday & Thursday – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Tuesday – 2:00 pm – 6:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00 am – 6:00pm
New Client Registration
For any new clients to our Food Pantry we will do an abbreviated intake form, eliminating the need for new clients to come earlier than distribution times and avoid meeting with a member of our staff in a one-on-one meeting.
Donations
As of Monday, June 22, we will again be accepting food donations at our 35 Park Street facility. To learn more about food donations, click here.
Kids Eat Healthy Initiative
Overview
No kid should go hungry or worry about where their next meal is coming from. Sadly, right here in Essex County, 11.5 % of kids are faced with these challenges every day. Through the Kids Eat Healthy initiative, we are committed to supporting local children in need of food.
We do this through our Summer Food and Weekend Food programs which are designed to provide increased access to the Food Pantry and to provide healthy snacks for children when not in school.
Summer Food Program
When school is out and there is less access to food through the schools’ free and reduced lunch programs, families are encouraged to sign-up to visit the pantry every week instead of every 14 days. By coming every week, we are able to increase the amount of food available to children and their families.
Summer Food has been available since March 18 and will continue to be through late August.
Weekend Food Program
During the school year we partner with Beverly Public Schools to provide food to elementary age children that are at extreme risk and do not have access to enough healthy food on days they are not in school such as weekends and vacation weeks. Depending on the needs of the family, either pre-packed bags of healthy snacks are provided or additional Food Pantry visits are offered.
Food Assistance
Mobile Markets
DUE TO COVID-19, THE MOBILE MARKET PROGRAM HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR THE SUMMER 2020 SEASON.
Our Mobile Markets are free, fresh farmers markets that promote better health and nutrition by providing eligible households with fresh fruits and vegetables.
Participants choose free, fresh produce and have access to nutrition education, SNAP information, chef demonstrations, food samplings and youth activities.
Through these markets we serve residents of local housing complexes, senior citizens and local college students.
Community Meals
The Beverly Community embraces those in need of a meal by providing a free dinner every night of the week. We support the local churches and groups hosting and preparing these meals by providing Food Safety Training and, when possible, access to the food needed to prepare meals.
Grab 'n Go Bags
Every day, at Food Pantry distribution, bags of protein and nutrient-rich snacks are available to those in our community who do not have a place to store and prepare food. This food is to fill the lunchtime meal gap and to tide these folks over until the next available free community meal dinner.
Delivery to low-income senior housing
In an effort to keep this vulnerable population safe, we are delivering food to seven local low-income senior housing facilities. Their staff is then delivering the bags of produce and staples to the residents.
“What a lot of people don’t understand is that it can happen to anyone.”
– Pamela, who never anticipated needing to use the Food Pantry