Striving for Food Security One Community at a Time
Our Neighbors’ Table is committed to establishing a community that provides for the whole person with nourishing food, kindness and dignity.- The Markets at Our Neighbors’ Table are a different kind of grocery store. Each location offers a beautiful, modern market where fresh, healthy food is made available - for free! Each week, you can shop, at no cost, for fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, eggs, fish, chicken and more.
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Delivery Service. Our Neighbors' Table is committed to providing fresh, wholesome food where and when people need it. Delivery services are offered to individuals who are home-bound in Amesbury, Groveland, Merrimac, Newburyport or Salisbury in coordination with the local Councils on Aging.
- Community Meals are served every Wednesday from 4 to 6 PM at the Main Street Congregational Church, 145 Main Street, Amesbury. Take-out service begins at 3 PM.
- Holiday Programs at ONT include Thanksgiving meal assistance and groceries, as well as other holiday programs.
The Salem Pantry’s mission is to work collaboratively to empower our diverse local and regional communities by ensuring the essential right to convenient and reliable access to healthy food.- At The Market, located at 47 Leavitt Street, Salem, the shelves are stocked with locally grown produce, dairy, eggs, milk, bread, and protein choices, all of which are completely free. Shoppers get to experience a dignified grocery-store atmosphere as they shop.
- Pop Ups. Visit one of the Pantry's pop up sites conveniently located throughout Salem and find a wide variety of fresh, healthy food completely free.
- The Salem Pantry Home Delivery program is a service for food insecure members of the Salem community who are physically, mentally, or emotionally unable to attend any of its locations.
- Community Partnerships. The Pantry's community partnerships provide reliable food access for students, residents and clients of partners.
The mission of The Open Door is to alleviate the impact of hunger in our community. To accomplish this mission they use a variety of practical strategies to connect people to good food, advocate on behalf of those in need, and engage others in the work of building food security.- Gloucester and Ipswich Community Food Pantries. These food pantries provide curbside pick-up for free, with three-to-five-day supplies of emergency groceries to income-qualified residents in The Open Door's service area.
- Mobile Markets. The Open Door offers a variety of Mobile Markets in various locations. The program provides qualifying individuals with up to 20 pounds of fresh produce and protein choices at no cost, as well as nutrition education and outreach. The produce is grown locally and purchased wholesale or is acquired from the Greater Boston Food Bank.
- Second Glance Thrift Store. Donations of gently used clothing, shoes, household items, linens, books, CDs, furniture, jewelry, knickknacks, and artwork help fund food pantry and other food resource programs serving people on the North Shore.
- Open Door Meals. The Open Door hosts a variety of meal offerings: Community Meals, Senior Soup and Salad, SNAP/Food Stamp Assistance, Summer Meals for Kids and more!
- Holiday Meal Baskets available for Thanksgiving and the December holidays.
Citizens Inn helps families and individuals who are experiencing a housing crisis or food insecurity. Its full spectrum of services provides comprehensive assistance to each person based on their specific needs.- Haven from Hunger Food Pantry. The Food Pantry at Haven from Hunger provided over 1,100 unique households per month from Peabody, Salem, and Lynnfield with fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, dairy, and non-perishable goods last year. They sourced over 2.1 million pounds from the Greater Boston Food Bank and rescued from local grocery stores and restaurants for disbursement in the pantry and for the Community Meals.
- Community Meals. Community Meals offer guests a filling, nutritious supper in a friendly atmosphere.
There is no cost for dinner and is open for any persons who are able to join Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 4 PM-5:30 PM.
- Resource Center. The Resource Center is the newest program in its build-out of the upper floor at Haven from Hunger. Services are available as a walk-in during the Pantry or Community Meal hours or by appointment.
- Citizens Inn Transition, established in 1990, provides comprehensive case management to families in early recovery in a transitional sober housing environment.
- Citizens Inn Between is an emergency program for families experiencing homelessness. It can house six families at a time, and includes one fully handicapped-accessible room.
- Citizens Inn Homes Program works to ensure families remain stable in permanent housing after placement out of shelter. It provides case management to families placed out of shelter into permanent housing and by developing and maintaining a portfolio of affordable rental opportunities for families.
The month of October shines a light on two important causes: Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast cancer services available through Anna Jaques Hospital – from mammography to treatment to surgery – means that women and men in our community receive the care they need without having to travel far from home. The Bank has proudly supported the availability of these services for years, from funding 3D Mammography available in Newburyport, Amesbury and Haverhill to partnering with AJH on an annual fundraiser to raise vital funds.
For the 14th straight year, the Institution for Savings will team up AJH to raise awareness and funds for local breast care services at Shine: A Sparkling Fundraiser for AJH Breast Care Services on Thursday, October 10th at Blue Ocean Event Center. All proceeds will go towards AJH’s new comprehensive breast care center.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center’s mission is to empower individuals and engage communities to end the cycle of domestic violence (DV). The team provides comprehensive services for adult and child survivors, offers programs in schools to empower students to make positive and healthy decisions including Girls Inc., and much more.
For decades, the IFS has proudly been the Presenting Sponsor of Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center’s Annual Walk Against Domestic Violence which this year takes place on Sunday, October 6th. More than 100 IFS employees, family and friends are set to walk to #endDV in our communities – join us! Learn more: jeannegeigercrisiscenter.org/events/annual-walk-against-domestic-violence
Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC) provides free and confidential services to people experiencing domestic abuse. The team offers services to survivors across the North Shore – from a 24-hour helpline, emergency shelter, legal services, counseling and more.
IFS proudly supports HAWC’s programs and events including its annual Walk for HAWC every spring.
The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf Supports the Needs of Hearing-impaired Youth
The Children's Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf (CCCBSD) one of the Bank's long-time community partners, provides highly specialized academic programs to support the individual learning and communication needs of students from birth through age 22 and includes preschool, elementary, middle and high school students. Located in Beverly, the school also provides services for children with autism, cerebral palsy and more.
Dirty Hands Project is Striving to Make
Mental Health a Priority for All.
Dirty Hands Project was created by Josh and Liz Moughan after losing their son Ty at the age of 18 to suicide in August 2023. In Ty's memory, Dirty Hands Project was established as a non-profit organization committed to making mental health a priority by supporting people and programs striving to understand and address the needs of people affected by mental illness. - For those suffering, it focuses on bringing increased awareness to and education around mental health as a way to help individuals feel comfortable sharing their struggles and asking for help.
- For those supporting others with mental illness, the goal is to help families and friends understand and navigate the crucial steps in detection, treatment and advocacy.
Supporting High School Students and Families Planning for the Next Chapter
- Create a realistic family budget to measure affordability
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Optimize scholarship and grant opportunities at target colleges
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Assist with completion of aid and grant applications
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Review and interpret award letters to allow for fully informed decisions
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Identify additional non-college scholarships
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Review potential lenders to select the best opportunity
Thanks to the Bank's financial support of College Affordable, CA is working with more than 1,000 Newburyport High and Triton Regional High School students in 2024.
Learn more about College Affordable.
Pictured: (Daily News Photo by Keith Sullivan, L-R) NHS Principal Andy Wulf, NHS College & Career Counselor Aaron Smith, Triton College & Career Counselor Karyn Cassidy and Triton Principal Patrick Kelly. (Back) Newburyport School Superintendent Sean Gallagher, IFS President/CEO Mike Jones, and College Affordable Executive Director Brian Gardiner.