Despite a delay in food delivery from the Greater Boston Food Bank caused by last Monday’s 22-inch snowfall in Gloucester, The Open Door has still been able to provide its customers with access to food.
The Open Door is a community food resource center that started after the infamous Blizzard of 1978. It gives more than 12,000 people in 11 Essex County communities access to food and clothing through a variety of different programs. The Open Door has food pantries in Gloucester and Ipswich and also provides people with premade meals.
Prior to last Monday’s storm, The Open Door President and CEO Julie LaFontaine, said a large number of people came in to prepare for the storm and there were extra meals available the Friday before. She said pantry staff and volunteers also worked with community partners around Cape Ann to make sure warming centers and shelters were stocked with food.
“People came into the pantry and we offered what are called ‘quick trips’ — prepacked bags of food that people could take if they didn’t already have an order placed — and our kitchen prepared extra meals to go home over the weekend,” LaFontaine said.
The Open Door was closed Monday and Tuesday, as was the Greater Boston Food Bank, which supplies 62% of the organization’s food. LaFontaine said the closures delayed when food arrived but The Open Door received its deliveries in time to fill client orders last week
Looking ahead with more snow predicted to fall the week, LaFontaine said the preparation will look similar to what it has the last few snowfalls.
“There will be extra meals going out and notifying clients ahead of time so there can be extra grocery trips to connect people with food,” she said.
Staff Writer Bobby Grady may be contacted at 978-675-2714 or bgrady@gloucestertimes.com.