Resources & Actions You Can Take During the SNAP Funding Freeze – North Shore, Massachusetts
10-31-2025Updated October 31, 2025. Please check the individual links provided for up-to-date information.
Starting November 1st, the USDA will stop funding SNAP (The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly known as food stamps), contingent on the government shutdown. This pause will result in many neighbors and families going hungry, with no way to pay for food or utilities. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healy has launched a directory and information hub about the SNAP freeze, where to find food, and how to help.
Below you will find additional resources on the North Shore if you need assistance finding food, as well as opportunities to take action in your community. Together, we can support our neighbors during this difficult time.
Resources
Community Meals
“Community Meals” are free prepared meals served for anyone – no prequalification, paperwork, or ID required. Lifebridge has two locations for community meals: one in Salem and one in Gloucester.
Lifebridge Main Campus (Salem)
Salem Main Campus – 56 Margin Street, Salem, MA 01970
Breakfast
Monday — Friday: 9:00 am
Lunch
Monday – Saturday: 12:00 – 12:30 pm
Dinner
Monday – Saturday: 5:30 pm
Sunday: 4:00 pm
Grace Center (Gloucester)
264 Main Street, Gloucester, MA 01930
Breakfast
8:30 – 10:00 am
Lunch
12:00 Noon
Learn More About Lifebridge Community Meals
Beverly
- Beverly Bootstraps provides community meals at churches around Beverly each day of the week. Find the schedule for these meals here.
Peabody
- Citizen’s Inn Haven from Hunger – Meals are open for any persons who are able to join Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4:30 PM-5:30 PM. Meals are served at 71 Wallis Street in Peabody.
Food Pantries
Lifebridge Main Campus (Salem)
In addition to our regularly scheduled community meals in Salem and Gloucester, we at Lifebridge are starting a temporary food drive for people experiencing homelessness. This pantry is meant for shelf-stable, ready-to-eat food that you do not need cooking supplies or a kitchen to prepare.
Anyone can access this food pantry at the Lifebridge Day Center (54 Margin St., Salem, MA) – no ID or paperwork required.
Hours
Monday – Wednesday
8am – 4pm
Thursday
8am – 2pm
Friday
8am – 4pm
Beverly
Beverly Bootstraps – Beverly Bootstraps has a food pantry (35 Park Street, Beverly, MA, 01915), refrigerated food lockers around the North Shore, and a mobile market. The pantry does require proof of residence and additional forms in order to participate. Hours of operation and additional details are on their website.
Gloucester
- The Open Door – The Open Door Food Pantries in Gloucester (28 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930) and Ipswich (00 Southern Heights, Ipswich, MA 01938) provide free, three-to-five-day supplies of emergency groceries to income-qualified residents of their service area. You need to qualify before receiving services by filling out paperwork. They also have a mobile market. Phone number: 978-283-6776.
Peabody
- Citizens Inn Haven From Hunger – The Haven from Hunger Pantry (71 Wallis Street in Peabody) operates Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays 10:30 AM-2:30 PM, and also on Thursdays 12:30-2:30 and 6PM-7PM. First-time clients are required to fill out an application form for their household and bring a photo ID along with a recent piece of mail (dated within the last 30 days) to confirm residency in Peabody, Salem, or Lynnfield.
Salem
- The Salem Pantry – The Salem Pantry is open to everyone, no ID or documentation required. They have a brick and mortar market (47 Leavitt Street, Salem, MA 01970), a mobile pantry, and home delivery options. Phone number: 978-552-3954.
Additional Food Pantry Databases
Take Action
Donate
Your Gift Goes a Long Way
Monetary donations and gift cards are appreciated and go a long way to fund Lifebridge’s community meals and pantry services. Having funds to complete a recipe based on donated food allows us to create delicious, nutritious meals anyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary restrictions.
Volunteer
Volunteering your time at a local non-profit is a great way to have a hands-on impact in your community. Even if you do not have kitchen experience, organizations like us need people of all skills and talents to run effectively. Whether you’re assisting with food distribution, organizing community events, or providing administrative support, your efforts will directly contribute to fostering a stronger, more supportive environment.
Volunteer at Lifebridge
Email k.holmes@lifebridgenorthshore.org to get started
Share Resources
Take the time to research and share resources with your community on social media (we’re on Facebook and Instagram), email, texts, and in conversations. You never know who in your circle is unaware of the resources available to them.
Check-in with Your Neighbors, Friends, & Family
Millions of people across the country rely on SNAP. However, the stigma that comes with receiving assistance may mean that someone you know is directly affected by the shutdown, but they have not shared that information with you. Now is the time to build community by checking in with your neighbors, friends and family to show your support.
It’s okay to get creative! In addition to sharing resources to pantries and community meals, this can look like inviting someone over for dinner, bringing in food to the office with take-home Tupperware containers, or giving gift cards to local grocery stores, gas stations, and restaurants as an early holiday gift.
Are you a MA North Shore non-profit offering food resources during the government shutdown? Contact h.wurthmann@lifebridgenorthshore.org to discuss adding your organization to this page.