The Open Door encourages those who wish to attend to also bring a small bag of dirt from their backyard, to help plant a tree symbolizing the contributions of the community to make the building project a reality.  

The project 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.)