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 (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-ful.
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…
Ethnic or exotic foods
Unusual condiments, relishes, sauces, or other unusual foods
Anything that’s been opened
Anything that’s past its sell-by date
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.
Drawing at Repeat Boutique
Throughout the month of October, the Repeat Boutique family clothing consignment shop will accept your donations for the Andover Food Pantry and enter you for a drawing for a $20 Repeat Boutique gift certificate. Visit the Repeat Boutique upstairs at the Circle K in Cilleyville, support the Food Pantry, and you might win!
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.