SALEM, MA — The Salem Pantry is excited to announce record participation in this year’s October Club, with 32 Salem businesses committing to support the organization during the city’s busiest season. In past years, these
efforts have raised more than $36,000 for The Salem Pantry.
Launched in 2023, the October Club connects The Salem Pantry with local businesses to channel the city’s surge of October visitors into community support. With large crowds arriving in Salem for seasonal events, the October Club provides
businesses with a way to give back during their busiest month. As a result, the success of the season extends beyond downtown, helping to provide food for families across the North Shore.
Ashley Judge, Executive Director of Destination Salem and Vice Chair of The Salem Pantry Board of Directors, helped shape the idea for The October Club. Now, in her role leading Destination Salem, she is excited to see the initiative grow. “Each October, 1.2 million people visit Salem, generating an extraordinary economic impact,” said Judge. “The October Club gives us a new way to recycle that spending in the local economy, channeling visitor dollars into The Salem Pantry, where they become fresh, healthy food for families across the North Shore.”
Through the October Club, each business chooses how it wants to participate, creating a network of unique and creative efforts. In the past, this has included donated proceeds from exclusive items, including mugs, tote bags, and jewelry, retail
promotions that invite customers to give, or direct donations supported by seasonal revenue increases. This flexible model enables businesses of every size and sector to get involved. “Destination Salem is proud to participate in the October Club because it shows how tourism’s economic impact can be both immediate and enduring,” spoke Judge. Visitor spending supports our businesses in October, and through the October Club, those same dollars extend further, helping The Salem Pantry provide fresh, healthy food and reliable access for our neighbors well beyond the busy season.”
Funds raised through the October Club will directly power The Salem Pantry’s programs, including The Market, the organization’s no-cost grocery store in downtown Salem; mobile pantry sites serving six cities across the North Shore; a
home delivery program; and a distribution hub that supports food assistance organizations regionwide. “The October Club has rapidly become a strong example of how local businesses can collaborate with nonprofits to positively impact their community,” said Hannah Beth Hembree, Development Director for The Salem Pantry. “The support from these local businesses helps us meet the increasing demand and allows us to continue providing reliable access to food for thousands of households.”
October Club funds arrive at a critical time of year for The Salem Pantry, which consistently sees a rise in the need for its services during the holiday season and colder months.
Participating businesses in 2025 include: A&J King Artisan Bakers, Black Cat Curiosity’s, Cinema Salem, Coffee Time Bake Shop, Couch Dog, Coven’s Cottage, Curly Girl Candy Shop, Deacon Giles INC, Destination Salem, District Trading Company, Gulu Gulu Cafe, Habanero Cycles, HausWitch Home + Healing, Heart Lynx, The Hive, Hive and Forge, Jenni Stuart Art, Koto, Annie’s Market, Ledger, Modern Millie, Moody’s Gifts, Nocturne, Notch Brewery & Tap Room – Salem, Pamplemousse, Salem Bespoke Boutique, Salem Style, The Good Witch of Salem, The Village Tavern, The Witchery, Whimsy’s Sweet Life, Witch City Gift Shop/Salem Historical Tours, and Witch Tees.
For a full list of participating October Club businesses and more information on how to support The Salem Pantry this season, visit thesalempantry.org/octoberclub.
