CONNECTED | Dec 02, 2025

PEM’s Holiday Food Drive Supports The Salem Pantry

Lela Clawson-Miller

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As the days grow shorter and we approach the holiday season, PEM is honored to host a food drive to benefit the Salem Pantry, one of the most impactful food access organizations on the North Shore. The Salem Pantry plays a vital role in ensuring that our neighbors have consistent access to fresh, healthy food year-round.

Shelves of cans and non perishable goods in the Salem Pantry's warehouse

The need is real and close to home, especially against the backdrop of November’s interrupted SNAP benefits and rising costs of living. Last year, the Salem Pantry served more than 31,500 people, including one in five Salem households, more than 16,700 Lynn residents and neighbors from every community across southern Essex County. This year, their impact has grown even larger. Behind each number is a person, a story and a moment where consistent access to food matters.

For more than 30 years, the Salem Pantry has been steadfast in the belief that everyone deserves reliable access to nutritious food. Today, the organization distributes more than 275,000 pounds of fresh food every month through The Market, home deliveries, mobile pantries and boxes that meet specific medical needs. Its food distribution hub has become an anchor point for food access across the region, supporting 20 community organizations and addressing both immediate needs and the larger systems that affect food insecurity.

Family sitting at the interactive table in Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend exhibition

Visitors explore a gallery activity on the opening day of the PEM exhibition Narwhal: Revealing an Arctic Legend in 2024. Photo by David Tucker.

Wagon full of cans and boxes of donations

A week’s worth of staff and visitor donations at PEM. Photo by Renata Leighton/PEM.

For me, creativity has always been a form of nourishment. It is grounding, restorative and can be a healing balm. When experienced with others, creativity can teach us how to care for one another. This is why I chose to work in the arts and culture field. Museums hold the potential to be places where generosity gathers and then flows outward again. With each food item donated, we have the opportunity to extend that spirit beyond our walls, offering what we can to support the well-being of our community.

So how can you get involved? From November 10 through December 7, we invite you to be part of PEM’s holiday food drive. Every contribution, no matter the size, strengthens the network of care that supports our community. All of this food goes straight into the hands of local families preparing meals this season.

Where to donate:
Bring your items to PEM’s Admissions desk during your visit. All donations must be non-perishable, unopened and unexpired.

What to give:
    •    Local grocery store gift cards ($5, $10 or $15)
    •    Holiday staples: stuffing mix, canned gravy, cranberry sauce, canned pumpkin, shelf-stable pie shells, baking mixes
•    Non-perishable breakfast items: cereal, oatmeal, granola bars
    •    Pantry essentials: canned goods, spices, cooking oil, flour

All visitors who donate will receive a voucher for a free cookie at the Atrium Café, courtesy of Gourmet Caterers. If you donate, you can also enter a raffle for a one-year Family Membership to PEM. (PEM Members can be entered into a drawing for a special mystery gift.) 

Donation drop-offs can take place when the museum is open between 10 am–5 pm, Thursday through Monday.

This food drive is organized by PEM’s Climate + Environment Initiative.