Author: todtheopendoor

Tickets for The Open Door Thrift the Runway Fashion Show Available Now!

~ todtheopendoor

Tickets for the third annual Thrift the Runway Fashion Show by The Open Door and its thrift store, Second Glance, are on sale now.

Thrift the Runway takes place Sunday, September 13 at The Cut, 155 Main Street, Gloucester.

  • Doors Open: 6 p.m.
  • Fashion Show: 7 p.m.
  • After-Party: 8:30 to 10 p.m.

Get tickets: https://thecutlive.com/pages/events/thrift-the-runway

Part fashion show, part community celebration, and all for a good cause, Thrift the Runway raises funds to support local hunger relief efforts while showcasing the creativity and generosity of our community.

Where Fashion Meets Purpose

Held during both Hunger Action Month and New York Fashion Week, Thrift the Runway proves that great style can make a real difference.

Every outfit featured in the show is created using clothing and accessories donated to Second Glance. This year’s event will feature more than 100 looks styled entirely from thrifted finds, modeled by volunteers from across the community.

“Thrift the Runway is a reminder of what this community makes possible when we come together,” said Julie LaFontaine, President & CEO of The Open Door. “Every donated jacket, dress or pair of shoes that crosses the stage began as an act of generosity that will help bring good food to local people and families. It reflects the heart of The Open Door’s mission.” 

The event comes at a critical moment for local hunger-relief. Demand for food assistance continues to grow, with The Open Door seeing a 36% increase in requests for help last year following significant increases in the years before.

More Than a Fashion Show

What makes Thrift the Runway unique is that nearly everything involved in the production has been donated by members of the community.

“Everything you see on stage, from the clothing to the stage décor, was donated to Second Glance by someone in our community,” said Susan Zwart, Director of Thrift Operations. “That is what makes Thrift the Runway so special. It’s made possible by a community that understands our mission and is excited to join in.” 

For Kayla Mayo, who leads the fashion and styling efforts for the event, the show represents the perfect blend of sustainability and service.

“The whole show feels like magic to me”, said Kayla Mayo, The Open Door Thrift the Runway Fashion Lead. “We have volunteer models wearing entirely thrifted outfits walking across the stage in a fashion show to feed people. It’s a beautiful intersection of service and sustainability that is so central to Second Glance and The Open Door.” 

New This Year: Upcycled Designs from MassArt

A special highlight of this year’s event will be a finale featuring original upcycled looks created by students and alumni from Massachusetts College of Art and Design.

Designers Asia Kepka, Sabra George, Prachi Mahurkar, and Sylvie Djian transformed clothing, fabric, and jewelry sourced from Second Glance into streetwear-inspired designs created exclusively for the show.

“I can’t imagine a better cause to put my creativity into than feeding people and The Open Door does just that. There were times in my life when I went to bed hungry,” said Asia Kepka, who led the group of MassArt designers and also volunteered in the first two Thrift the Runway shows to style and design. “Each time I participate in designing and styling for the show, I learn something new and I feel like I’m part of a unique community.” 

Familiar Faces on the Runway

This year’s lineup of volunteer models includes a number of recognizable community leaders, including:

  • Gloucester Mayor Paul Lundberg
  • Previous Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga
  • Previous Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken
  • Vionette Chipperini, Director of Veterans Services for the City of Gloucester
  • Eric Mitchell, President & CEO of Pathways for Children
  • Jason Andree, Board President of The Open Door
  • Several members of The Open Door team

When you attend Thrift the Runway, you’re not just enjoying a fun night out. You’re helping ensure that local individuals and families have access to the food they need while celebrating the creativity, sustainability, and generosity that make our community so special. Learn more: FOODPANTRY.org

THIS SEPTEMBER: Rockin’ 4 Vets brings Guitar Monsters to The Cut Live on Thursday Sept 24 in a fundraiser concert for The Open Door

~ todtheopendoor

Net proceeds will help support hunger-relief programs for local people.

GUITAR MONSTERS featuring Johnny A., Jon Butcher, and special guest Dave Amato, former longtime lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon, comes to The Cut LIVE in Gloucester, MA, on Thursday, September 24, 2026, for a special benefit concert supporting The Open Door and its mission of helping advocate on behalf of those in the community facing the impact of hunger.

Presented by Rockin’ 4 Vets, Guitar Monsters brings together three acclaimed guitarists for an unforgettable evening of rock, blues, and high-energy live performance. Grammy-nominated guitarist Jon Butcher, whose career spans Johanna Wild, Jon Butcher Axis, Barefoot Servants, and Experience Hendrix tours. Known for his dynamic stage presence, Butcher has shared stages with major acts including the J. Geils Band, Rush, Def Leppard, and the Scorpions

Joining him is Johnny A. is renowned for his distinctive style, solo recordings, and work with Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band). A Boston Music Hall of Fame inductee, he remains one of New England’s most respected musicians.

Special guest “Monster” Dave Amato spent more than three decades as the lead guitarist for REO Speedwagon. Throughout his career he has performed and recorded with artists including Rick Springfield, Cher, Richie Sambora, and Michael Bolton. Following REO Speedwagon’s retirement, he continues touring and performing nationwide; this summer with former Eagle guitarist, Don Felder.

More than a concert, net proceeds from Guitar Monsters will benefit The Open Door, a nonprofit local resource center whose mission is to alleviate the impact of hunger in the community. The level of services they provide to the local community is too grand in scale to be able to describe here, learn more at FOODPANTRY.org. Produced by Rockin’ 4 Vets/Alive & Kicking Productions, the event combines world-class musicianship with a commitment to helping veterans throughout New England.

Tickets are available now through Rockin’ 4 Vets at https://rockin4vets.com/tickets

OR through The Cut ticketing site at https://thecutlive.showare.com/orderticketsvenue.asp?p=424

Doors open at 7:00 p.m. and the show begins at 8:00 p.m. Early purchase is recommended as seating is limited.

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The Open Door FREE Summer Meals for Kids Program is Back!

~ todtheopendoor
From left: Summer Meals for Meals Associates Erin Cole, Somer O’Brien, and Abby Dawson, with Nutrition Education Coordinator Rachel Orie. (Photo Courtesy of The Open Door) 

The Open Door Summer Meals for Kids program is back! Local children and teens up to age 18 can get free breakfast and lunch meals at 16 locations across Cape Ann.

Last year, The Open Door Summer Meals for Kids program distributed 17,389 meals, all prepared in-house. The program has sites in Gloucester, Rockport, and Ipswich, and continues to add new locations each year.  

Full schedule below:

Gloucester Walk-Up Locations 

  • The Open Door at 28 Emerson Ave. From June 29-Aug. 28. Meals available for pick-up Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
  • Riverdale Park at 1A Veterans’ Way from June 29-Aug. 28. Meals available Monday-Thursday from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and Fridays from 11 to 11:45 a.m. 
  • Willowood Gardens at 40 Willowood Rd. from June 29-Aug. 28. Meals available Monday-Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
  • Pond View Village at 23 Lepage Lane from June 29-Aug. 28. Meals available Monday-Friday from 11 to 11:30 a.m. 
  • Field Days at Burnham’s Field (with East Gloucester Community Church) from July 9-Aug. 27 on Thursdays, 11 to 11:45 a.m. 
  • Story Hour at the Sawyer Free Library (with Backyard Growers) at the Saunders House Lawn on 88 Middle St. from July 9-Aug. 27 on Thursdays, 11 to 11:30 a.m. 

Enrolled locations in Gloucester include: Gloucester High School, O’Maley Academy, Camp Spindrift, GPS Extended School Year at East Veterans, Literacy and Math Summer Learning at East Veterans, and Gordon STEAM Camp at East Veterans.  

Ipswich Walk-Up Locations 

  • Ipswich Community Food Pantry at 00 Southern Heights in Ipswich from July 1-Aug. 27. Meals available Wednesday-Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Three Sisters Garden Project at 2 Washington St. In Ipswich from June 29-Aug. 28. Meals available Monday-Friday from 12 to 1 p.m. 

Enrolled location: Winthrop Elementary School.  

Rockport Walk-Up Location 

  • Rockport Public Library at 17 School St. In Rockport from June 22-Aug. 28. Meals Available Monday-Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Thursday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

The full schedule is also available at FOODPANTRY.org and will continue to be updated through the summer.  

For the second year in a row, Summer Meals for Kids is being entirely funded by The Open Door. Previously, the program received federal funding. Today, it continues thanks to donations and sponsors of The Open Door. 

About The Open Door  

The mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. We use practical strategies to connect people to good food, to advocate on behalf of those in need, and to engage others in the work of building food security. 

Founded in 1978, The Open Door is a 501 (c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit and community food resource center for low-income residents of Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester, Essex, Ipswich, Hamilton, Boxford, Rowley, Topsfield, Wenham, and Georgetown. In 2025, The Open Door helped stabilize the lives and health of 12,780 people from 5,718 households through the distribution of 2.48 million pounds of food over 136,851 visits. 

For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org.

Help The Open Door Raise Hunger Awareness this September

~ todtheopendoor

September is Hunger Action Month™, an annual, nationwide campaign by the Feeding America network to raise awareness and encourage action to reduce food insecurity.  

The Open Door has partnered with several groups to raise awareness about hunger, and share information on how to help support its mission.

The Open Door distributed 2.35 million pounds of food to 11,893 people through its Food Pantries in 2024, meeting a 30% increase in requests for food assistance in 2024 (on top of a 30% increase in 2023), through 100,774 visits. 

Since August 2024, in addition to clients already receiving services, The Open Door has registered 820 new households for services at its Gloucester and Ipswich food pantry locations: An average of 68 new families per month.

HUNGER ACTION MONTH EVENTS:

The Open Door has partnered with several local organizations to raise hunger-awareness this September: 

  • Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga will issue a proclamation naming September Hunger Action Month in the city on Friday, September 12 
  • Thrift the Runway, a fashion show organized by The Open Door Thrift Store, Second Glance, will raise funds for local food assistance programs of the nonprofit on Sunday, September 14 at The Cut in Gloucester. Tickets are available at FOODPANTRY.org 
  • View Gloucester City Hall and the Beauport Hotel lit up orange all month long (orange is the color used to promote hunger awareness) 
  • Watch out for Hunger Action Month themed coasters at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar and the Seaport Grille 
  • Several local businesses are offering special promotions and products this month to raise awareness, including: 
  • Brothers Brew in Rockport will offer an orange themed donut  
  • Cake Ann will offer chocolate orange and creamsicle flavored cupcakes  
  • Turtle Alley will offer chocolate bars embossed with the word “LOVE”  
  • A portion of proceeds will support local hunger-relief programs of The Open Door! 
  • The Gloucester City Council will also wear orange to help raise awareness at their Tuesday, Sept. 9 meeting. 
  • SHOP and DONATE at Second Glance year-round. Revenue at the store raises funds for hunger-relief programs of The Open Door. Free referrals are also given to the community for those who need a little extra help. 

MORE WAYS TO HELP:

  • Donations are the most needed form of support as The Open Door doubles down on core programs and strategizes how to best meet increased need with fewer federal resources available. Donations big and small help move the needle, and can be made as one-time gifts, monthly donations, or annual contributions. Make a donation at FOODPANTRY.org. There are a variety of ways to make a donation, including: 
  • Company matches: many companies will also match donations made by their employees—doubling the impact of your gift. Ask your employer today if such a program exists at your workplace. 
  • Donate through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF), Individual Retirement Rollover Gifts, and stocks and securities. 
  • Legacy giving 
  • Sponsor a meal 
  • Donations to Second Glance Thrift Store (make an appointment at FOODPANTRY.org/booknow). Items sold at the store create revenue for The Open Door 
  • In kind goods and services also support The Open Door mission 
  • Volunteers are another critical pillar of help at The Open Door, and provided 26,260 hours of support in 2024. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities, from packing groceries, to sorting food, to supporting the kitchen, and tagging products for sale at Second Glance. Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org/volunteer 

Members of the community are also invited to wear orange to raise awareness about local food insecurity this September. 

Can You Help The Open Door?

~ todtheopendoor

Donations needed!

The rain on the morning of Saturday, May 10, put a damper on an annual food drive that benefits The Open Door. Each year, local letter carriers from Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester and Ipswich collect donations of nonperishable food and deliver them directly to The Open Door through the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

It’s a national initiative spearheaded each year by the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) that benefits food pantries all over the country.

Unfortunately, inclement weather nearly halved the donations collected last weekend.. Local letter carriers collected approximately 9,000 pounds of good food for local people whereas last year, the same food drive collected 17,000 pounds of food on a sunny, clear-skied day.  

Want to help The Open Door make up the difference and stock the shelves at its food pantries this spring?

The Open Door will be accepting additional donations of nonperishable food at all of its locations next week during business hours: 

  • The Open Door Gloucester Food Pantry at 28 Emerson Ave., Gloucester MA will accept donations at the back of the building Monday through Friday from 8:30a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 
  • The Ipswich Community Food Pantry at 00 Southern Heights, Ipswich MA will accept donations Wednesday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
  • Second Glance Thrift Store of The Open Door (Main Store) at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA will accept donations Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:40 p.m. at its main store.  

Food insecurity has been up at The Open Door, especially over the past two years. In 2024 and in 2023, the nonprofit met a 30% increase in requests for food assistance. With looming federal cuts to programs like SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps) and at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), in addition to tariffs, extra donations are a huge help as The Open Door works to stock its shelves.

Most needed donations include:  

  • Coffee 
  • Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, and salad dressings) 
  • Cooking Oil 
  • Peanut Butter 
  • Canned Tuna 

The Open Door asks the community to please avoid donating anything in glass containers. 

Thank you!

THIS SATURDAY: Help Stamp Out Hunger on Cape Ann! 

~ todtheopendoor

Want to help alleviate the impact of hunger here on Cape Ann? Donating to help stock the shelves at The Open Door is as easy as leaving a bag of nonperishable food by your mailbox this Saturday for Gloucester AND Rockport residents thanks to local letter carriers.

Each year, members of the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) organize the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive to collect donations of food in their communities. Donations on Cape Ann will be delivered directly to The Open Door.

Most needed donations include:  

  • Coffee 
  • Condiments (ketchup, mustard, mayo, and salad dressings) 
  • Cooking Oil 
  • Peanut Butter 
  • Canned Tuna 

The Open Door asks the community to please avoid donating anything in glass containers.  

Locally, the Ipswich and Manchester-by-the-Sea post offices are also participating in this year’s Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive.

Those that live in communities other than Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, or Ipswich can check with their local post office to see if they are participating in this weekend’s food drive.  

The Open Door Empty Bowl Enchanted Forest Tickets and Online Auction Available Now

~ todtheopendoor

Want to help feed local people this summer? The Open Door Empty Bowl Enchanted Forest and Online Artists’ Bowls Auction, which benefit summer hunger-relief programs, offer a way for anyone to donate or volunteer.

Empty Bowl Enchanted Forest will be held on Thursday, May 1 from 4-7 p.m. at Cruiseport Gloucester. Pay-what-you-can tickets and the Online Artists Bowls Auction are available at FOODPANTRY.org. 

With inflation and looming cuts to social services agencies, the fundraiser comes at a critical moment for food security.

“As we prepare for significant cuts to the federal safety net, more children are at risk of going hungry, especially during the months they are not in school,” said Julie LaFontaine, President and CEO. “We invite the community to join us for an event to remember what we hold in common and to raise critical funds for our summer programs including Summer Meals, Mobile Market, and Food Pantries.”   

The Greater Boston Food Bank estimates that, without state intervention, proposed federal cuts and changes to SNAP, TEFAP (USDA), and school meals will lead to a 77% increase in demand at local food pantries like The Open Door.  

Last year, The Open Door distributed 2.35 million pounds of food to 11,893 people through its Food Pantries. The nonprofit met a 30% increase in requests for food assistance in 2024, through 100,774 visits.  

The Open Door distributed more than 18,000 breakfast and lunch meals to local children during the summer of 2024. The nonprofit also distributed more than 169,000 pounds of food through its Mobile Market. 

Attendees of Empty Bowl Enchanted Forest will choose a bowl hand-painted by a member of the community, soup to-go, cookie, roll, fruit, and water. A soup tasting will also allow participants to try a handful of soups prepared by The Open Door kitchen. Additional soups will be available to-go by a handful of local restaurants, caterers, and eateries.  

The artists’ bowls will be available to view at Empty Bowl Enchanted Forest, and a select few are featured at Cape Ann Savings Bank on Main Street in Gloucester leading up to the event. The online artists’ bowls auction features bowls painted by numerous, talented local artists. 

To learn more about The Open Door, visit FOODPANTRY.org 

THIS WEEKEND: HOLIDAY MARKET AT SECOND GLANCE

~ todtheopendoor

SHOP for boutique winter clothing, classic and quirky holiday décor, one-of-a-kind gifts (jewelry, art, books), and so much more!

WHEN: Saturday December 7 from 9 am to 5 pm AND Sunday December 8 from 11 am to 5 pm

WHERE: Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door, at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA

NOTE: PLEASE help us be good neighbors and do not park in our neighbor’s lots!

WHAT: SHOP the Holiday Market at Second Glance, Thrift Store of The Open Door, for high-quality, second-hand goods and one-of-a-kind finds for the holidays. Revenue at Second Glance supports hunger-relief programs of The Open Door.

Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org.

THIS SATURDAY: THE OPEN DOOR THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE

~ todtheopendoor

Donate and help feed local people, right here on Cape Ann, this coming weekend!

WHEN: Saturday, Nov.23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

WHERE: Participating locations include:  

  • Market Basket at 101 Gloucester Crossing Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Stop & Shop at 6 Thatcher Road, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 127 Eastern Avenue, Gloucester MA 
  • Shaw’s at 146 High Street, Ipswich MA 
  • Crosby’s Marketplace at 3 Summer Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea MA 
  • Market Basket at 231 Newburyport Turnpike, Rowley MA 

WHAT: The Open Door Thanksgiving Food Drive will have donation locations at six area grocery stores.

Most needed items this year include shelf-stable breakfast foods: cereal, oatmeal, coffee, tea, maple syrup, pancake mix, waffle mix, 100% fruit juice, and granola bars. The Open Door asks people to please avoid donating anything in a glass container.  

The Open Door is also holding a Clothing Donation Drive in conjunction with the Thanksgiving Food Drive. Those that wish to donate gently used clothing at The Open Door’s thrift store, Second Glance, can drop donations off without an appointment from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 Pond Road, Gloucester MA. Clothing sold at the store helps raise revenue for The Open Door’s hunger-relief programs. 

NEED HELP SETTING THE TABLE FOR THANKSGIVING AND THE DECEMBER HOLIDAYS?

The Open Door has free Holiday Meal Baskets available for local people who need a little extra help setting the table. Order yours today at FOODPANTRY.org. 

Each Holiday Meal Basket includes a turkey (or a special diet alternative) and all the fixings for Thanksgiving dinner. For December, hams will be available.

Want to learn more or donate to help feed our neighbors through the holidays and beyond? Visit FOODPANTRY.org. 

Help The Open Door Raise Awareness for Hunger Action Month

~ todtheopendoor

September is Hunger Action Month™, an annual, nationwide campaign by the Feeding America network to raise awareness and encourage action to reduce food insecurity.  

The Open Door served 957 MORE people and had 4,452 MORE household visits in the first six months of 2024 than the same period in 2023. That means more people are visiting the nonprofit, more often.  

Want to help raise hunger awareness and keep local people fed?  Learn more below about the opportunities on Cape Ann to participate: 

  • Volunteer with The Open Door! Packing groceries, delivering meals, sorting food or sorting donations at Second Glance, and corporate engagement opportunities are just a few of the many roles available to volunteers. Learn more at FOODPANTRY.org/volunteer. 
  • Wear orange. Orange is the color of hunger awareness. 
  • Enjoy a sweet treat: 

Brothers Brew in Rockport will offer a vanilla donut frosted with orange sprinkles starting Sept. 8 for Hunger Action Month 

Cake Ann will offer special creamsicle and chocolate orange flavored cupcakes to help raise hunger awareness starting Sept. 1 

The Cut will offer a Hunger Action Month cocktail 

Holy Cow’s Gloucester location on Pleasant Street will serve an Orange Creamsicle flavored ice cream 

Turtle Alley will offer chocolate bars embossed with the word “LOVE” 

A portion of proceeds will support local hunger-relief programs of The Open Door! 

  • Watch out for Hunger Action Month themed coasters at 1606 Restaurant & Oyster Bar, the Seaport Grille, and The Cut to donate! 
  • See Gloucester City Hall and the Beauport Hotel lit up with orange lights. 
  • Get tickets for The Open Door Thrift the Runway Fashion Show by Second Glance, the thrift store of The Open Door at The Cut on Sunday, Sept. 8. Visit FOODPANTRY.org to learn more.  
  • Gloucester Mayor Greg Verga will issue a proclamation naming September Hunger Action Month™ at the Thrift the Runway Fashion Show on Sunday, Sept.8.  
  • The Gloucester City Council will also wear orange Hunger Action Month ™ t-shirts to help raise awareness at their Tuesday, Sept. 10 meeting.  
  • SHOP and DONATE at Second Glance year-round. Revenue at the store raises funds for hunger-relief programs of The Open Door. Free referrals are also given to the community for those in need. 

Learn more about Hunger Action Month™ at FOODPANTRY.org.