Swampscott Polar Plunge Raises More Than $6K For Anchor Pantry

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — More than 150 people combined to raise $6,250 by taking an icy dip on New Year's Day in Swampscott.

The Swampscott Yacht Club said that was the donation made to the Anchor Food Pantry through collections at its 16th annual Polar Plunge.

"The Swampscott Yacht Club is proud to support the efforts of the Anchor Food Pantry to help the local community, especially during these trying times," Swampscott Yacht Club Commodore Chris Bendicksen said. "We are pleased that the 16th annual Polar Plunge was so successful and was able to provide an opportunity for both the Yacht Club and the Swampscott community to help the Anchor Food Pantry’s important mission."

While it was on the warm side by winter standards, it was hardly typically beach weather when dozens and dozens of those ages 3 through 83 forged into the ocean on Jan. 1. Participants also donated more than 200 canned goods to the pantry.

"Since the first day we opened the Swampscott community has stepped up to help," Anchor Pantry Treasurer Diane O'Brien said. "We will always be grateful to organizations like the Swampscott Yacht Club for going above and beyond to provide much-needed donations for our pantry.

"Swampscott always shows up. We are so proud to be part of the generous town."

The Anchor Pantry was set to open a few weeks before the onset of the coronavirus crisis and quickly filled a need in the town amid the pandemic. Since March 2020, the Pantry has provided more than 13,000 pounds of food to those members of the community most affected by this life-altering event.

To learn more about the Yacht Club and future events go here. To learn more about the Anchor Food Pantry go here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)