food

FREE SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS!

~ todtheopendoor
From left: Summer Meals for Kids intern Rachel Ellis, Summer Meals for Kids Coordinator Eileen Campbell, intern Harley Pereira, and intern Ryn Montgomery. 

Need help getting breakfast and lunch meals for your kids over the summer break? The Open Door is here to help with Summer Meals for Kids!

Back for its 21st season, Summer Meals for Kids provides nutritious meals to local kids by visiting local neighborhoods, schools, and summer camps to make sure children have access to meals while school is out.

The Summer Meals for Kids program strives to accommodate all allergies and special diets, and to learn more about the program or inform staff of a dietary need, please call 978-283-6776 or email summermeals@foodpantry.org. 

Meals will be provided, at a first come, first serve basis, at the sites and times as follows:  

Gloucester Walk-Up Locations (operating from June 22 to August 26) 

  • The Open Door at 28 Emerson Avenue will serve meals Monday through Friday. Monday through Wednesday meals will be available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and meals will be available Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
  • Riverdale Park at 69 Veterans’ Way will have meals available from 12-12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
  • Willowood Gardens at 40 Willowood Road will have meals available from 12-12:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. 
  • Pond View Village at 23 Lepage Lane will have meals available from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Gloucester Enrolled Locations 

  • Summer Learning at West Parish at 10 Concord Street will have meals available for enrolled participants at noon, Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 27 to July 28 at this site.  
  • O’Maley Academy at 32 Cherry Street will have meals available for enrolled participants from 8-8:30 a.m. and 11-11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 27 to August 4 at this site.  
  • Kindred Gardens at 5 Dr Osman Babson Road will have meals available for enrolled participants from 9-10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 22 to August 26 at this site.  
  • Camp Spindrift at 27 Atlantic Street will have meals available for participants from 11:30 a.m.-1p.m., Monday through Friday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 23 to August 26 at this site. 
  • Gloucester High School at 32 Leslie O. Johnson Road will have meals available for enrolled participants Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from June 27 to August 4 at this site.  

Ipswich Walk-Up Location (operating from June 22 to August 26) 

  • Ipswich Community Food Pantry at 00 Southern Heights in Ipswich will have meals available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.  

Ipswich Enrolled Location 

  • Winthrop Elementary School at 65 Central Street in Ipswich will have meals available for enrolled participants from 9-9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Monday through Thursday. Summer Meals for Kids will operate from July 5 to August 4 at this location.  

The Open Door is a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) sponsor, a federal program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA SFSP requires a non-discrimination statement that “Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.” More information is available at FOODPANTRY.org/usda.

The Open Door Sumer Meals for Kids schedule will be updated as needed throughout the summer at FOODPANTRY.org/summermeals. 

SmartChoice™ at The Open Door Modernizes Pantry Shopping

~ todtheopendoor

New Online Ordering System Returns Agency to Shoppers

GLOUCESTER — A new online ordering system at The Open Door has expanded choice more than ever before for client shoppers.

SmartChoice™ at The Open Door launched this June and allows clients to place a weekly grocery order that matches any special dietary needs they may have as well as their taste. Clients select from featured items, fruit and juices, vegetables, protein and dairy, ready-to-eat items, grains and cereal, baking, snacks, condiments, special dietary items, pet supplies, household supplies, health and hygiene products, baby food and supplies, and miscellaneous items.

Once clients sign into SmartChoice™ at The Open Door at FOODPANTRY.org/order, they can use the above menu to create their weekly grocery order. (Image Courtesy of
The Open Door)

“When people choose their own groceries, we know they’re getting the food they’ll eat and enjoy to thrive,” President and CEO Julie LaFontaine said. “We’re proud to have this new resource for our clients.”

Before the online ordering system became available, The Open Door provided bags of pre-selected groceries for clients starting in March 2020 in response to the pandemic. This was done through a Curbside, No-Contact model used at both the Gloucester and Ipswich food pantries, and protected the health and well-being of clients, volunteers, and staff alike while also expanding the nonprofit’s capacity to meet increased need. While the curbside model was necessary to feed more people, it left shoppers with less personal choice.

At the height of the pandemic, The Open Door met a 40% increase in need for food resources, and continues to meet ongoing need.

Today, clients are still picking-up their groceries at either site or receiving deliveries if they qualify for The Open Door grocery and meal delivery program. However, SmartChoice™ at The Open Door brings more choice to the table than ever before. It accounts for every item available in The Open Door’s inventory, working seamlessly in partnership with the warehouse. Grocery orders are managed by the Fulfillment Center, where staff and volunteers package grocery orders Monday through Friday.

Volunteer Laurie Fenton prepares a grocery order placed via SmartChoice™ at
The Open Door. (Image Courtesy of The Open Door)

Translation services are available over the phone in many languages. Those without internet access, with questions, or who prefer to place their order by phone are welcome to do so by calling 978-283-6776.   

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, and Wenham. In 2020, The Open Door helped stabilize the lives and health of 9,681 unduplicated people from 4,703 households through the distribution of 2.46 million pounds of food, amounting to 2.05 million meals. Requests for food assistance during this pandemic year were up 27 percent.

Programs of The Open Door include two food pantries (located in Gloucester and in Ipswich), 12 Mobile Markets, Community Meals, SNAP Application assistance and Advocacy, Medically Tailored Groceries, Nutrition Education, Therapy and Counseling, Food Rescue, Summer Meals for Kids, On Your Mark Job Training and Internships, Holiday Baskets, Senior Soup & Salad, (NEW) SmartChoice™ at The Open Door and (NEW) Grocery and Meal Delivery. Second Glance, the thrift store of The Open Door, provides revenue for the organization, referrals for people in need, and recycles textiles and other materials.

For more information, visit FOODPANTRY.org.  

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MARCH Drive-Thru Food Pantry!

~ theopendoorma

Let food be one less thing to worry about. The Open Door is hosting a Special Drive-Thru Food Pantry on Saturday, March 13, at The Open Door on Emerson Avenue in Gloucester from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

Bags include all the basics and milk, eggs, meat, fruits and veggies, coffee, olive oil, baking mixes and more.

The Drive-Thru Food Pantry is open to anyone who registers–it might be your first time, or you may have already used the pantry. We are asking for a registration so we know how many people are coming. https://bit.ly/3i0wqrI (FOODPANTRY.org) 978-283-6776

CAPE ANN CLASSIC CARS ON THE GREEN

~ chasnaz ~ 1 Comment

SECOND ANNUAL CLASSIC CAR SHOW COMES TO MEETINGHOUSE GREEN, CORNER OF CHURCH & MIDDLE STREETS IN GLOUCESTER ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH, 10:00AM TO 2:00PM

With the historic 1806 Meetinghouse in the background, this early fall show attracts a variety of fine classic cars from around the North Shore. The audience is invited to vote for their favorite classic cars in 9 categories and trophies will be awarded at the conclusion of the event.

The car show is free and open to the public with donations to the ongoing preservation of the Meetinghouse gratefully accepted. It is a delightful family-friendly event with food vendors and live Dixieland-style music performed by John’s Giddy Gang. Tours of treasures inside the Meetinghouse will be available and include performances on the grand 1893 Hutchings-Fisk pipe organ.

Owners of classic cars may register on the day of the show ($10 fee) at the entrance to the Green or in advance by emailing car information to c.nazarian@gloucestermeetinghouse.org

The Meetinghouse (home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church) is located in the heart of Historic District. Please consult map for directions since there are several one-way streets. Parking is available in a number of nearby municipal lots and on the street. The rain date is Sunday, September 29th, 1:00 to 5:00PM.

Announcing Music on Meetinghouse Green 2019, Free Friday Evening Outdoor Concerts in Gloucester!

~ chasnaz

Music on Meetinghouse Green is a free outdoor summer music festival at 6:00PM on the Green in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church at the corner of Middle and Church Streets.  We dedicate this fourth season in honor of Linzee Coolidge and the late Beth Coolidge for their vision and generosity to the Cape Ann community.

Please join us for the 4th year of this unique outdoor concert series, hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.  The 9-event summer festival features a different musical ensemble on Friday evenings starting on July 5th and benefits our North Shore non-profit partners via free-will offerings from the audience.  Concerts are held inside the Meetinghouse in inclement weather. Come celebrate TGIF with great music and delicious food available from local vendors while supporting the terrific work of local non-profits!

Please visit http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org for the season schedule and more information.

GREAT CONCERTS IN FRONT OF THE HISTORIC 1806 MEETINGHOUSE

The whole community is invited to enjoy this family-friendly experience under the shade trees on the green in the heart of the Historic District.  Bring lawn chairs, blankets and your favorite libation to enjoy the music and delicious food available from local vendors.  Your voluntary contributions support the work of 8 dedicated partner organizations that work so hard to improve the lives of our fellow citizens on Cape Ann.

The final event on September 6th benefits the ongoing preservation of the grand 1806 Meetinghouse, Gloucester’s oldest church – steeped in the history of religious freedom in Massachusetts and central to the Constitution’s guarantee of the separation of Church and State!

Gloucester’s 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration – a festive community event!

~ chasnaz

Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation

Monday, January 21st 2019, 2:00-6:00pm

In the historic (1806) Gloucester Meetinghouse (Unitarian Universalist Church)

Corner of Middle and Church Street

This is a free community event and all are welcome!

Free-will contributions to the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation towards the ongoing preservation of the building are requested.   Memberships, mugs, caps, totes, shirts and refreshments available.

Gloucester’s 3rd Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration: an afternoon of presentations honoring Dr. King about African-American History including Sandra Ronan, Stephanie Buck, live music by Alvin Foster and his band Soul Eclectic, and Keynote Speaker award-winning  filmmaker/journalist Clennon L. King on MLK’s Boston years, followed by audio of Martin Luther King, Jr. accompanied by a slide show.  Audience invited to ring the Paul Revere bell at the conclusion for freedom.

More info at: www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

SCHEDULE

2:00-2:15     Introduction: ‘Why Are We Here?                    Sandra Ronan

2:15-2:45     ‘Shadowed Lives,’ Effects of Slavery on Cape Ann                                                                                                            Stephanie Buck

2:45-3:00     Break with Refreshments

3:00-3:45     Alvin Foster and his band Soul Eclectic, music that underpinned Black people’s courage to be happy and celebrate life, love, spirituality and growth in the face of racism

3:45-4:00     Break with Refreshments

4:00-5:00     Keynote Speaker: Clennon L. King, ‘MLK’S Boston Years’ The award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Clennon L. King will present a slideshow, focusing on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s movements in Boston and New England, from the fall of 1951 to the spring of 1954, to be followed by Q&A with the audience

5:00-5:15     Break with Refreshments

5:15-6:00     Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop” accompanied by a slide show of period and present-day images

Conclusion:   Audience invited to join in ringing the Paul Revere Bell for freedom

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: CLENNON L. KING ON ‘MLK’S BOSTON YEARS’

A Filmmaker’s Granular Look at Dr. & Mrs. King’s New England Years a lasered look at the little-known years Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott spent in Boston and New England.  Award-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Clennon L. King, will present a slideshow, focusing on the Kings’ movements in Boston and New England, from the fall of 1951 to the spring of 1954.

Filmmaker Clennon L. King headshot.png

“Americans know all about Dr. King relative to places like Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery, Washington, D.C. and Memphis, but virtually nothing about his time in Boston,” said Clennon L. King, (no relation) whose father was a lawyer for Dr. King in the Historic Albany Movement. “This slideshow seeks to fill in the blanks.”  Clennon L. King will present the compelling PowerPoint® slideshow to audience, before leading a spirited conversation and Q&A with the audience.

Clennon L. King writes, “In a city as historic as Boston, there are few signs that Martin Luther King, Jr. lived, worked and played here before heading to Montgomery to the world stage,” said the Boston-based filmmaker. “My goal was to reconstruct his time here before it is lost to history forever.”

Clennon L. King’s 45-minute slideshow and discussion program is entitled “MLK’s Boston Years”, and was presented to MLK Boston, which plans to build a $5 million monument to Dr. and Mrs. King on the Boston Common.  Boston’s NPR affiliate, WGBH 89.7 FM has twice interviewed King around his research on the Kings’ time in Boston. In April 2018, the filmmaker was featured on the Boston Edition of All Things Considered® with Barbara Howard, and in November 2018, he again was featured on ‘Under the Radar’ with Callie Crossley.

STEPHANIE BUCK: ‘SHADOWED LIVES’

Born and educated in England – degree from London University – married an American and moved to Gloucester in 1970 – became interested in local history through research on her house – which is just across the road from the Unitarian Universalist Church.  She retired as Archivist/Librarian of the Cape Ann Museum last May after 14 years.  The title of her presentation is “Shadowed Lives” – just skimming the surface of slavery on Cape Ann.

LOCATION, PARKING & ACCESSIBILITY

The Gloucester Meetinghouse (home of the Unitarian Universalist Church) is located on the green at the corner of Church and Middle Street.  Event parking is allowed on the green and is available at other parking lots and on-street nearby in the Historic District.   An elevator up to the Sanctuary level is available from the side entrance at 10 Church Street.

More info at www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

 

Captain Carlo’s Fundraiser for Cape Ann Animal Aid

~ capeannanimalaid01930

CaptCarlos

Join Cape Ann Animal Aid at Captain Carlo’s on Saturday, August 11th between 11:30am-3:00pm (dine in or take out). Enjoy a delicious meal for a great cause! The restaurant will be donating 10% of all sales to Cape Ann Animal Aid, helping dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens to thrive and find loving homes.

Weather permitting, there will also be some shelter pups out front ready to meet you, too! And don’t forget to bring some extra $$ for the 50/50 Raffle! For more info or to make a reservation, call 978-283-6342.

TODAy OCTOBER 12th: Raising Urban Chickens, a workshop at Backyard Growers

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

Raising Urban Chickens

brooke-cagle-32425

Thursday, October 12th, 6:00-7:30PM

Join Backyard Growers and local chicken farmer Jess Araneo as we discuss these fine birds. From getting started, to meeting city standards, to choosing the right ladies for your flock- we’re excited to answer all your burning questions and leave you ready to start, improve or expand your backyard flock! We’ll spend just over an hour discussing the ins and outs of chicken raising, then leave time to meet a bird or two and answer all your questions. Join us!

Jess is resident in Rowley, MA where she raises over 40 chickens and 20 ducks on less than an acre. She sells eggs from her chickens and ducks out of a farm stand at her house.

Hosted at Backyard Grower Office: 127 Main St, Gloucester

Tickets: $10 Purchase tickets here

Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org

chicken blurb

October Workshops at Backyard Growers!

~ backyardgrowersgloucester

Fall Cooking Workshop: Kids Night! 

IMG_1367

Tuesday, October 17th, 6:00-7:30PM

Bring the kids to the Open Door and join us as we harvest, cook, and eat a meal filled with end-of-season produce. Not an experienced cook? No problem! We’ll go over the basics, so all levels of cooking experience are welcome.

Please notify us in advance is anyone in your party has any allergies.

Hosted at The Open Door: 28 Emerson Ave, Gloucester

Tickets: $15 individual or $20 family https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fall-cooking-workshop-kids-night-tickets-37882765371

Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org or 987-281-0480

 

Raising Urban Chickens

brooke-cagle-32425

Thursday, October 12th, 6:00-7:30PM

Join Backyard Growers and local chicken farmer Jess Araneo as we discuss these fine birds. From getting started, to meeting city standards, to choosing the right ladies for your flock- we’re excited to answer all your burning questions and leave you ready to start, improve or expand your backyard flock! We’ll spend just over an hour discussing the ins and outs of chicken raising, then leave time to meet a bird or two and answer all your questions. Join us!

Jess is resident in Rowley, MA where she raises over 40 chickens and 20 ducks on less than an acre. She sells eggs from her chickens and ducks out of a farm stand at her house.

Hosted at Backyard Grower Office: 127 Main St, Gloucester

Tickets: $10 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/raising-urban-chickens-tickets-37506945283

Contact: community@backyardgrowers.org

chicken blurb

GRAND FINALE FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH! MUSIC ON MEETINGHOUSE GREEN 2017

~ chasnaz

Last event in the free summer concert series: Music on Meetinghouse Green 2017

The Cape Ann Big Band ensemble called Jumbalaya Horns is playing this Friday September 8th 2017, from 6:00 to 8:30 pm. This is the last concert in a free Summer Series called ‘Music on Meetinghouse Green’ hosted by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation.  Each of the nine events features a different musical group and highlights the work of a North Shore non-profit organization that works for the good of the whole community.  Free-will offerings from the crowd support their work as performers transform the front steps of the Meetinghouse into a concert hall stage.

This final event is also a celebration by the Gloucester Meetinghouse Foundation as your free-will donations will benefit the fire-sprinkler & deterrence system now being installed in the historic 1806 Universalist Meetinghouse.  Through public and private gifts nearly $500K was raised for this project, helping to preserve the Meetinghouse as a landmark on the Gloucester skyline…our City’s largest and last surviving example.  This magnificent building,  home of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church and civic programs such as The Grace Center, has been a beacon of hope for over 200 years at the corner of Church & Middle Street.  Come celebrate with us!

The Cape Ann Big Band swing orchestra made their debut in 2014, under the direction of Carlos Menezes Jr. Inspired by the sounds of New Orleans jazz, swing, soul, rock ‘n roll and a musical ‘gumbo’ of the Mississippi Delta, the band delivers a foot stompin’ fusion of Jambalaya Horns. The group features Tom Madore (trombone); Zach Gorrell (sax); Carlos Menezes Jr (vocals/horns); Joe Wilkins (vocals/guitar); Anthony Prestigiovanni (vocals/trumpet); Gary Wolsieffer (bass/tuba), and Rick Geraghty (vocals/drums).

Bring a blanket or beach chairs, a picnic, or conveniently purchase food from our on-site food vendor The Common Crow, and enjoy a rollicking fun evening on Meetinghouse Green.  Dancing is encouraged under the old-fashioned strings of fair lights.  Events go forward rain or shine, moving indoors if it rains into the coffeehouse atmosphere of the Meetinghouse downstairs social hall.  Parking is available in the Library and St. John’s Church lots.  For more information visit:  http://www.gloucestermeetinghouse.org

Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken will be on hand to thank our Sponsors: Linzee and Beth Coolidge (matching gift); Tom and Susan Andresen; J.J. and Jackie Bell; Michael and Mary Ann Bresnan; Joanne Hart and Gordon Baird; Harry and Mary Hintlian; Dick and Doris Prouty; Charles Nazarian, Sandra Ronan; and our Corporate Sponsor Cape Ann Savings Bank. 

We hope you can join us for this opportunity to thank them for supporting a uniquely Cape Ann program…a mini Tanglewood in the heart of the Historic District…Music on Meetinghouse Green!

Jambala Band