How The Open Door is Showing Up For Hunger Action Month (And So Can You)

We’ve seen more people in need of food assistance recently than we did during the pandemic.  ”

September is Feeding America’s Hunger Action Month, a month-long campaign to raise awareness and combat food insecurity across the US.  According to the USDA, more than 13 million households experienced some kind of food insecurity in 2021; with the COVID-19 pandemic affecting prices and access to food.

In 2026, many of the same issues continue to arise for families as food prices continue to climb. Julie LaFontaine, president and CEO of The Open Door, attests to this increased need in the local community:

“We’ve seen more people in need of food assistance recently than we did during the pandemic.”

The Open Door works across 11 communities across the North Shore, including all four Cape Ann communities, preparing and serving food for those in need.  While The Open Door’s network is wide spanning, the organization struggles with the same deficits and gaps other food assistance programs are experiencing due to cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and continually rising inflation.  In fact, between July 2025 and May 2026, more than 61,000 children in Massachusetts lost access to SNAP benefits.  

LaFontaine explains: “Food pantries are an important part of the safety net, but we’re not a replacement for SNAP. When families can’t access the benefits they’re eligible for, they turn to food pantries to fill that gap. That’s not what these programs were designed to do. Charitable food assistance can’t and shouldn’t be expected to make up for cuts in federal nutrition funding.”

Despite these challenges, The Open Door has been able to step up.

This year, The Open Door served 20,238 breakfasts and lunches to local children through their Summer Meals for Kids Program which started two years ago.
“When school is out, many families lose access to a reliable source of food for their children. We saw more families reaching out for help this summer, and we worked hard to make sure every child could access a healthy meal.” Says LaFontaine.

It’s not just kids in need of this assistance as well, the Open Door reports that over half of North Shore Community College (NSCC) students experience some amount of food insecurity or are at risk of experiencing it. The Open Door maintains an active partnership via “mobile markets” with NSCC and likewise has served over 580 individual NSCC students over the past year.
This assistance sees real results too according to The Open Door’s Communications Manager, Kelsey Richards: “North Shore Community College shared with us last spring that students participating in the program had a 88.7% retention rate for staying in school, compared to 61% who do not participate.”

LaFontaine reiterated the importance of SNAP’s importance to the community from an economic angle: “Every SNAP dollar spent generates an estimated $1.50 in economic activity, supporting local businesses and communities. More than $2 million in SNAP benefits have already been lost by households in The Open Door’s service area.”

The work is far from over, LaFontaine says. Year to year, the organization has seen increases in the need for food assistance: jumping 30% in 2023 and 2024 with demand growing by an additional 36% in 2025.

“These aren’t just numbers,” she adds “They’re families, seniors, and working people doing their best to get by despite a stubborn economy. We’re seeing more people who need help, many for the first time.”

The same inflation and price increases that put strain on families is felt by the Open Door as well. While 60% of the food served through the organization comes through The Greater Boston Food Bank, a portion of the food served at The Open Door is bought wholesale. According to LaFontaine, the economic strain is most felt as they try to leverage every dollar of spending for maximum impact.

As Hunger Action Month begins, LaFontaine implores members of the community to recognize the occasion by getting involved:
“We are always looking for ambassadors and advocates for the Open Door. That could mean writing a check, but it could also involve donating food or your time serving, packing or preparing meals.”

“What gives me hope,” LaFontaine concluded, “is that we have communities that step up.”