Food Distribution Statistics

The Slogan of the Salem Community Pantry is “Helping Salem Set the Table.”

* In 2024, approximately 6,048 Pantry shopping carts full 

of food were loaded into Shoppers’ cars, bicycle baskets, 

and pull-along wagons.

*  On average, each Pantry shopping cart loaded with groceries provides 7 day’s worth of food, consisting of three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).  This is 

21 table settings of meals. 

*  The 6,048 shopping carts provide approximately 127,008 table settings of meals.  [ 6,048 shopping carts X 21 table settings of meals per cart = 127,008 table settings ]

*  The number of family members served per shopping 

cart is 3.26 on average. 

*   Approximately 414,046 plates of food are served from the shopping carts of groceries provided by the Pantry. 

[ 127,008 table settings of meals  X 3.26 family members eating the meals = 414,046 plates of food ]

*  In 2024, The Pantry purchased 111,002 pounds of food 

from Second Harvest Food Bank.  We received another 330,236 pounds of food free from Second Harvest during Open Call pickup.

*  The Pantry received 339,289 pounds of food donated by local Salem stores.  The Pantry received an estimated 75,000 pounds of food from private local donations.  The total food received, sorted, processed, and distributed in 2024 was 855,527 pounds from all sources (428 tons).

*  The Pantry spent a total of $15,722.62 purchasing food from Second Harvest Food Bank.

*  The average Second Harvest cost per family served was $2.60.  The average Second Harvest cost per individual served was $0.79.

*  The estimated value of the food contained in each family's shopping cart was between $200 to $300.