For all who frequent the Andover Food Pantry or the Town Hall, you may have noticed that the Pantry shelves seem to empty more quickly than usual. We at the Pantry are seeing an increased need for food and household items. Unfortunately, donations are becoming less frequent, making restocking the shelves more often a financially difficult if not impossible task.

We would like to thank all the wonderful people in this town who so generously give to the Pantry, either by donating food or by sending money to the Andover Lions Club at PO Box 204, Andover 03216 for the Andover Food Pantry. We implore all those who can donate to do so, even if it is just one can of food.

No donation is too small. Just like pennies can grow to be dollars, a small donation added to another small donation eventually can become a shelf-full.

The list below will provide some idea as to what is needed. Thank you all in advance for your generosity.

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:

Canned tuna, chicken, turkey, ham, spam, corned beef, hash, beef stew, chili, etc.

Canned spaghetti, ravioli, etc.

Macaroni & cheese

Peanut butter & jelly/jam

Hearty soups (not condensed)

Baked beans

Dry pasta, canned spaghetti sauce

Mayonnaise (for the tuna)

Quick-cooking rice

Dried side dishes like mashed potatoes, pasta or rice sides

Canned vegetables

Canned fruits, fruit juices

Milk (evaporated or in a carton)

Cereal

Coffee

Kitchen and Bath Necessities

Aside from food items, donations of kitchen and bath necessities allow people in need to use their resources for food as opposed to soap and paper products:

Toilet paper, paper towels

Dish soap, laundry soap, body soap, shampoo

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.

Please keep a copy of these lists with you and refer to them when shopping!

Please Don’t Bring…

Anything that’s past its sell-by date

Anything that’s been opened

Ethnic or exotic foods

Unusual condiments, relishes, sauces, or other unusual foods

Special Needs

Some people have special needs . If you jot your need down on the pad located on the first shelving unit in the Pantry, we will try our best to buy that item for you.

Finally, a special request to all who raise chickens. If you could donate eggs, they would be greatly appreciated. We have a refrigerator, and egg cartons are available in the Pantry (help yourself!) if you’d like to donate your chickens’ eggs.

Repeat Boutique

Sue Raymond of the Repeat Boutique in Cilleyville says, “If you fall into the Repeat Boutique with a non-perishable item for the Andover Food Pantry, you’ll receive $1 off any item! If you purchase a $1 raffle ticket, you’ll be entered for a $20 gift certificate.”

The Andover Food Pantry is sponsored by the Andover Lions Club and The Andover Beacon to 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 questions asked. Take what you need, drop off what you can. Thank you.