Open Door Expands Summer Meals Program as Needs Remains High

The high cost of living is driving local food insecurity at an alarming rate.”

Julie LaFontaine, president and CEO of The Open Door

The Open Door will once again provide free breakfasts and lunches to children throughout Cape Ann and Ipswich this summer as the region continues to experience elevated levels of food insecurity.

The nonprofit's Summer Meals for Kids program begins June 22 in Rockport and June 29 in Gloucester and Ipswich, offering meals at libraries, parks, housing complexes and community sites when school is out of session.

The program comes as The Open Door reports a 36% increase in visits to its food assistance programs in 2025, following consecutive annual increases of approximately 30% in both 2023 and 2024.

During the school year, many children rely on free school meals, making summer an especially challenging time for families facing rising food costs.

Last summer, the program distributed 17,389 meals prepared by The Open Door's kitchen staff.  For the second consecutive year, the organization is funding the program entirely through private donations after the loss of previous federal support.

"The high cost of living is driving local food insecurity at an alarming rate," said Julie LaFontaine, president and CEO of The Open Door, in announcing the program.

Walk-up meal sites in Gloucester include The Open Door headquarters on Emerson Avenue, Riverdale Park, Willowood Gardens, Pond View Village, Burnham's Field and the Sawyer Free Library.  Additional locations will operate in Ipswich at the Ipswich Community Food Pantry and Three Sisters Garden Project, while meals will also be available at the Rockport Public Library.

Several summer school and camp programs will also participate as enrolled meal sites.

Founded in 1978, The Open Door serves residents of Gloucester, Rockport, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, Ipswich, Hamilton, Boxford, Rowley, Topsfield, Wenham and Georgetown.  In 2025, the organization served 12,780 people from 5,718 households and distributed 2.48 million pounds of food through more than 136,000 visits.

A complete schedule of meal sites and operating hours is available at FOODPANTRY.org and will be updated throughout the summer.