Salem Pantry Hopes 'The Truck' Will Help Fight Hunger On SSU Campus, Across City

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry is looking to bring a mobile farmer's market to those in the city in need with the introduction of "The Truck" mobile pantry vehicle designed to be more efficient and create a more dignified use of the mobile pantry services.

The Truck includes refrigerated storage to ensure food items stay fresh and an innovative design to swiftly open and display food in the design of a farmer's market stall.

In addition to expanding its outreach, The Truck will enhance The Salem Pantry's existing partnerships, including collaboration with Salem State University, a long-time partner of the pantry, to help address on-campus hunger.

"We are grateful to the Salem Pantry for the support they provide our community members, especially Salem State students," SSU Vice President of Student Services Nate Bryant said. "Forty percent of our students qualify as low income and we have about 80 students that are homeless."

The Truck will make appearances at all of The Salem Pantry's current mobile distribution
sites across the city in the coming weeks.

"This new vehicle will allow for a more dignified visit to The Salem Pantry's mobile pantry program and allow for us to reach more people in need of food assistance," Salem Pantry Executive Director Robyn Burns said.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of
Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations.

Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)