Memorial Hall Library

Food Resources in Essex County

Food Resources in Essex County

Please Note

The information on this page was updated December 2023. However, hours and locations are subject to change. We recommend that you contact 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

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

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

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 on the second Wednesday of the month.

Lazarus House

Offers a free soup kitchen year-round (currently providing Grab & Go meals), as well as a winter soup truck from January to 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 six towns they serve is required: Essex, Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester, Topsfield or Wenham.

69 Willow Street
South Hamilton, MA
978-468-7424

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

Ballardvale Community Food Pantry and Fridge

Ballardvale United Church
23 Clark Road, Andover

Hours: 24/7

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

Thursday | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM

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
26 Pleasant St., Methuen

Tuesday | 5:30 - 6:30 PM

Methuen Arlington Neighborhood, Inc
Neil Playstead
188 Lawrence St., Methuen

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

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.

HIP Benefits

HIP puts money back on your EBT card when you use SNAP to buy healthy, local fruits and vegetables from HIP farm vendors. If you have SNAP benefits, you automatically also have HIP benefits. You can spend HIP at these local farm stands:

Farmer Dave's Stands

460 East St., Tewksbury
Call for times: 978-851-2048
437 Parker Rd., Dracut
Call for times: 978-454-343

Andover Farmer's Market

South Church
41 Central St, Andover, MA

Open Saturdays 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM from June 15 to October 12.

Groundwork Lawrence Farmers Market

50 Island St., Entrance B., Lawrence

Check website for days and hours.

randomness