Salem Pantry Opens 'The Market' No-Cost Shopping Spot This Weekend

SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry's first storefront retail location for no-cost shopping — The Market — will open this weekend.

The location at the corner of Congress and Leavitt streets will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays at various hours to provide those in need with a convenient option for ensuring food security at no expense.

"The Market's opening is a crucial step in The Salem Pantry's work to support food security in our community," Executive Director Robyn Burns said. "The need for our services continues to grow and The Market will increase access to food for so many."

A grand opening community event will be held on Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. Salem residents are invited to enjoy crafts, games and food provided by Root. There will also be community resources there to provide information on other local programs and services.

The Market, funded, in part, with city American Rescue Plan Act funding opens at a time when The Salem Pantry is serving a rise in need because of the recent reduction of COVID SNAP benefits. The Salem Pantry said it served 4,500 different people during the month of March.

The Salem Pantry will continue its outreach and mobile food distribution services to go along with the brick-and-mortar location.

More information on The Market and services can be found here.

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. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)