Saturday the Open Door and our generous community celebrated its new Food and Nutrition Center with the best ribbon cutting event. Julie LaFontaine, the Open Door’s CEO, gave a heartfelt speech thanking all who had worked so hard and contributed so generously to make the Center a reality. Followed by a round of speeches given by Mayor Verga, State House Representative Ann Margaret Ferrante, and State Senate Representative Bruce Tarr, the ribbon was woven through the seated attendees. Everyone got to cut the ribbon and cheer on the new Center!
What a special event to be invited to photograph. Thank you Sarah and Julie, it was my joy!
From the Cape Ann Chamber –
The Food and Nutrition Center includes a larger, modernized kitchen with a double line, fulfillment center, food packing space, additional dry and cold storage, client meeting spaces, and more. The Open Door has also updated and reconfigured other areas of the building to maximize space.
The $4.4 million capital campaign project was paid for by federal fiscal 2022 Community Project Funding secured by U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Salem; Community Development Block Grant funding from the city; and private donations.
The organization is still seeking to raise $250,000 to cover costs of the project. (To inquire about making a donation, email development@foodpantry.org.)