We just got the third one in my town of 35,000. Additionally there is a Pantry at the Community Health. We have a main Food Bank that serves about 1,000 people, and is open 10-noon M-F, and a small one at the local college. The Pantries have become more and more important since the #SNAP crisis last November. When benefits stopped working on a Saturday, a group on Facebook was ready and kept the Pantries full. There was still a massive line at the Food Bank. The Community had a massive Food and donation drive which helped them get through. Since then I have noticed a strong up turn in support for the Pantry in my neighborhood, especially on the weekends — when it is needed.
How the ‘Little Free Pantry’ Can Help Feed the Hungry Without Requiring Them to Drive
“Since the first micro-pantry went up in Arkansas in 2016, there are now nearly 4,400 of them around the world, mostly in the United States. That's largely been driven by the rise of hunger itself, especially as grocery prices rise, food banks struggle to feed the hungry, and long lines stretch outside food banks — especially during last year’s government shutdown, which jeopardized SNAP benefits.”
The above article references what’s being tried in Seattle to tie the Pantries to the larger Food Banks.
As gas prices continue to rise and the economy continues to contract, small pantries like this will become more important.
More info and ideas here: www.littlefreepantry.org
