Self-Serve Community Food Pantry in Ballardvale

In September 2022 the members of Ballard Vale United Church (BVUC) in Andover, MA, launched the town’s first 24-hour self-serve community pantry. After two years, the pantry has evolved into a hub of food rescue and a vital resource for over 1,000 members of the community.  After learning that about 20% of children are food insecure in Andover, Glen McLeod, former church moderator before focusing on the ministry, had the idea to run a food pantry out of the church. He envisioned a place where anyone in the community could take, or donate, food at any time.

The pantry is open 24/7 and is available to anyone in the community. Donors and recipients alike visit daily. The group follows USDA guidelines to ensure the food offered at the pantry is safe for eating.