Donations Needed For Andover Food Pantry

November 30, 2012 • Saved under Andover Organizations
By Charlie Darling, Beacon staff
At Asa Gilman’s fifth birthday party, her friends brought canned goods and other non-perishable food items for the Andover Food Pantry. On the day before Thanksgiving, Asa, her brother Sam, and her mom Sarah delivered two big baskets of food to the pantry in the basement of the Town Hall. Many thanks to the Gilmans, Asa’s friends, and the many, many people who support the Andover Food Pantry in so many ways! Photo: Charlie Darling

The need to keep the shelves stocked at the Andover Food Pantry continues, and we can’t do it without your help. If you can, please send a check to the Andover Lions at PO Box 204, Andover 03216. Any amount, large or small, helps show that the community cares.

If you’d prefer to shop for the pantry, we appreciate the help and the donation! The list below will provide some idea as to what is needed.

Staple, Non-Perishable Food Items: Donations of basic canned, bottled, or dried food items are welcome. The hardest items to keep on the shelves are the following:

  • Canned tuna, canned chicken or turkey, canned ham, canned spam, canned corned beef, beef stew, chili with or without beans, hash, etc.
  • Canned ravioli, spaghetti with meat balls or without
  • Macaroni and cheese
  • Peanut butter and jelly or jam
  • Hearty ready-to-serve soups that provide a complete meal
  • Baked beans
  • Dry pasta (macaroni as opposed to spaghetti)
  • Canned spaghetti sauce
  • Mayonnaise (for the tuna)
  • Quick-cooking rice
  • Side dishes like instant mashed potatoes, Knorr pasta or rice sides. (Store brands make the dollar go farther.)
  • Canned potatoes, corn (kernel or creamed), peas, carrots, mixed vegetables, green beans
  • All fruit juices or vegetable juices
  • Milk (evaporated or in a non-refrigerated carton)
  • Cereal
  • Coffee
The cub scouts of Pack 489 and the boy scouts of Troop 489 collected a total of 277 items for the Andover Food Pantry on November 10. Dana Buswell stayed and helped put away the food items. Photo: Tina Cotton

Coupons: If you have coupons for any of the above staple items, please donate those to the pantry. We’ll use them to make the dollars people donate go even further.Items we do not need:

  • Items that have already been opened
  • Items that are more than just a little past their expiration dates
  • Items that need refrigeration
  • Ethnic or exotic foods
  • Unusual condiments, relishes, sauces
  • Other unusual foods

Non-Food Items

Aside from food items, donations of non-food items would allow people in need to use their resources for food as opposed to soap and paper products.

  • Basic kitchen and bathroom supplies
  • Toilet paper, paper towels
  • Dish soap, laundry soap
  • Body soap, shampoo
  • Toothpaste, toothbrushes
  • Deodorant

Local Eggs

Finally, a special request to all who raise chickens. If you could donate fresh local eggs, they would be greatly appreciated. We have a small cooler, and empty egg cartons are available – take as many as you need!

The Andover Food Pantry is sponsored by the Andover Lions Club and The Andover Beaconto provide basic necessities to those in need. It’s located downstairs at the Andover Town Hall and is open whenever the Town Hall is open. It’s self-service, no sign-up required, no questions asked. Take what you need, drop off what you can. Thank you!