Memorial Hall Library

Food Resources in Essex County

Food Resources in Essex County

Please Note

The information on this page was updated October 2021. Hours marked out with strikethrough text represent formerly-offered services that are currently suspended or altered due to COVID-19 restrictions. However, hours and locations are subject to change, and we recommend contacting providers directly to confirm information before visiting.

Memorial Hall Library does not have a food assistance program but please ask at the reference desk if you need help contacting any of these resources.

If you need transportation to access these resources, Memorial Hall Library has MVTRA bus schedules and maps available, or visit MVRTA.com.

Hotline

Project Bread

Call Project Bread's hotline for up-to-date food resources in your area.

1-800-645-8333
TTY: 1-800-377-1292

Hotline Hours:
Monday - Friday | 8 AM - 7 PM
Saturday | 10 AM - 2 PM

Hot Meals

Bread & Roses

Provides a free hot meal with no eligibility requirements. 

58 Newbury Street
Lawrence, MA

978-681-8768

Hours:
Monday-Thursday, Saturday | 4:00 PM-6:00 PM
Closed Friday & Sunday

The Center at Punchard

The Center at Punchard offers hot meals to seniors, Monday-Friday. A $2 donation is requested but a meal will not be denied to seniors unable to pay. The Center's Meals on Wheels service to homebound seniors or disabled adults of any age continues.

30 Whittier Court
Andover, MA

978-623-8321
Monday - Friday | 12:00 PM (noon)

Common Ground

Offers a cafe (currently serving Grab & Go meals), food pantry, and emergency food by appointment only.

194 Winter Street
Haverhill, MA 01830

978-372-3336

Hours:
Monday - Friday | 12:00PM-4:00PM (Cafe)
Saturday - Sunday | 7:00AM-9:00AM (Cafe)

Cor Unum

Offers a free daily breakfast and dinner, year round, with no eligibility requirements. (Currently providing Grab & Go meals.)

118 S. Broadway
Lawrence, MA

978-688-8900

Hours:
7 days a week
Breakfast | 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Dinner - TAKE OUT | 4:30 PM -6:30 PM

Merrimack Valley YMCA

40 Lawrence Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
978-686-6191
Grab & Go Meals Monday-Friday (with additional meal given on Fridays for the weekend) | 3:00 – 5:00 PM
Food Pantry Thursdays 3:00 - 5:00 PM

Andover Mobile Food Pantry at the Robb Center
30 Whittier Court
Andover, MA
9:00- 11:00 AM
2022 DATES
October 12
November 9
December 14

Lazarus House

Offers a free soup kitchen year-round (currently providing Grab & Go meals), as well as a winter soup truck from January-March. No eligibility requirements.

978-269-5280

Lazarus House Soup Kitchen

412 Hampshire Street
Lawrence, MA

May – October Hours:
Monday – Friday
Breakfast | 8:30 – 9:30 am
Lunch | 11:30 am – 1 pm

November – April Hours:
7 days a week
Breakfast | 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
Lunch | 11:30 AM – 1 PM

Lazarus House Winter Soup Truck

48 Holly Street
Lawrence, MA * stops at: Windsor House; Pemberton Park (Joseph W. Casey Bridge); Deacy House

January – March Hours:
Friday & Sunday | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Food Pantries

Acord Food Pantry

Proof of residence in one of the 6 towns they serve: Essex, Hamilton,  Ipswich, Manchester, Topsfield or Wenham required. 

69 Willow Street
South Hamilton, MA

978-468-7424

Hours:
Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Thursday | 10:00AM – 11:00AM (Seniors 60+)
Thursday | 6:30 PM – 7:30PM
Saturday | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Ballardvale 24 hour Community Food Pantry and Fridge
at Ballardvale United Church
23 Clark Road, Andover 
 

Lawrence Community Fridge

136 East Haverhill St
Lawrence, MA 01840

Online Contact Form
Hours:
24/7

Lawrence YMCA Food Pantry

40 Lawrence Street
Lawrence, MA 01840

978-686-6191
Hours:
Thursday | 4:00PM – 6:00PM

Lazarus House Food Pantry

Provides 4 days worth of emergency food every week with no eligibility requirements.
242 Hampshire Street
Lawrence, MA
978-332-5013
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday | 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Neighbors In Need

Provides food pantries for all who request it, with no eligibility requirements.
978-685-8321
Hours & Locations:

Ministerio Apostolico Jesucristo es el Senor
96 East Haverhill Street
Lawrence, MA

Monday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
So. Congregational/Iglesia Adventista Del Septimo Dia Jerusalen
198 South Broadway
Lawrence, MA

Tuesday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

First Church, Congregational
High Street, Methuen

Tuesday | 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc
141 Tenney Street
Methuen, MA
Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
Boys and Girls Club
136 Water Street
Lawrence, MA

Thursday | 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM

South Church in Andover
43 Central Street
Andover, MA

Thursday | 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The People's Pantry

Food pantry every other Tuesday with no eligibility requirements. Provides refreshments and activities for children in addition to nonperishable goods.
190 Academy Road
North Andover, MA
978-687-7948
Alternate Tuesdays | 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM

SNAP Benefits

If you are struggling to afford food, you may be eligible for SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. To find out more, call 1-877-382-2363 or visit GettingSNAP.org.

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