How Cannabis Consumers in Massachusetts Helped Feed Thousands Through Our Neighbors’ Table

At CNA Stores, we believe that a cannabis business should be more than a place to shop. It should be a place that creates positive change, builds community, and helps those in need. That’s why we’re proud of our ongoing partnership with Our Neighbors’ Table, a nonprofit organization based in Amesbury, Massachusetts, whose mission is simple but powerful: to create a food-secure region where no one is hungry, overlooked, or unsupported.

Our Neighbors’ Table: Fighting Hunger With Dignity

For more than three decades, Our Neighbors’ Table has been a lifeline for individuals and families across northeastern Massachusetts. At the heart of their work is the belief that food access should be stigma-free, dignified, and reliable. Their flagship grocery market in Amesbury offers free weekly groceries to anyone who needs them—no proof of income required. This dignity-first approach sets Our Neighbors’ Table apart, ensuring that every person who walks through their doors feels valued, respected, and supported.

The scale of their impact is inspiring. In 2023 alone, Our Neighbors’ Table provided more than 1.7 million meals to households across over a dozen communities, including Amesbury, Haverhill, Newburyport, Merrimac, Salisbury, and Seabrook. From seniors who rely on consistent meal support to parents making sure their children have lunches for school, the reach of Our Neighbors’ Table spans every age group and background.

Cannabis Consumers Driving Change Through Giving

At CNA Stores, we were inspired by Amesbury businesses like Amesbury Industrial, a family-run hardware store known for decades of community service. That tradition motivated us to create our Charity Jar program, which allows customers to support nonprofits like Our Neighbors’ Table every time they shop.

The concept is simple but powerful. When customers shop at CNA’s Amesbury or Haverhill dispensaries, they can round up their purchase totals or add a donation at checkout. These small, everyday contributions quickly add up, and the results speak for themselves. To date, CNA customers have donated over $22,000 to Our Neighbors’ Table, with an additional $9,312 donated in 2022.

What makes these contributions meaningful is that they don’t come from giant corporate checks or one-time fundraising drives. They come from ordinary people—parents, veterans, caregivers, teachers—who care deeply about their communities and about supporting Our Neighbors’ Table. It’s proof that cannabis consumers are not only breaking stigma but also fueling real, measurable change for families in need.

Breaking Stigma and Feeding Communities

When CNA Stores first opened, some residents expressed concerns about what a cannabis business might bring to town. Years later, those concerns have been replaced with pride. Our partnership with Our Neighbors’ Table shows that cannabis customers are generous, compassionate neighbors who want to give back.

By supporting Our Neighbors’ Table, cannabis consumers in Amesbury, Haverhill, Salisbury, Hampton, and along the North Shore have made it clear: they care about more than just cannabis products. They care about addressing food insecurity, supporting nonprofits, and ensuring their neighbors have access to healthy, reliable meals.

A Model for the Cannabis Industry

CNA Stores is proud to be a leader in cannabis philanthropy across Massachusetts. Since opening, we’ve contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to local nonprofits, logged more than 3,000 hours of community service, and partnered with causes that matter to our customers. But our work with Our Neighbors’ Table is especially meaningful because it directly addresses one of the most basic human needs: food.

We don’t support Our Neighbors’ Table for recognition or headlines. We do it because it’s the right thing to do. And as Our Neighbors’ Table often reminds us—it takes a village to end hunger. Every donation, every round-up, every conversation about food security makes a difference.

Moving Forward Together

To every customer who has dropped change into the Charity Jar or chosen to round up a purchase: thank you. Your generosity fuels the mission of Our Neighbors’ Table and proves that cannabis customers are vital members of their communities.

At CNA Stores, we will continue to stand alongside Our Neighbors’ Table to fight hunger, restore dignity, and build a stronger, more compassionate Massachusetts. Together, we’re showing that cannabis businesses and cannabis consumers can play a powerful role in shaping a healthier, more connected future.

Find our more about Our Neighbors’ Table here.