We recently started a free pantry out front. My dad, who had started his own pantry a few years back, told me that it takes a while for the community to “discover” it, but once they do, it’ll start moving. We’re finally starting to see people use ours, dropping off new food, and taking things. I love the idea of a pantry that’s actually for the community and people can stop by and browse. We made it clear in front of ours that it’s not just for people who are food insecure, but EVERYONE, including those who don’t know what to make for dinner, missing an ingredient, or just need a snack on a walk. Hopefully that will reduce the stigma and make it feel less like a “charity” and normalize just sharing things in our neighborhood. It’s a work in progress, but let me tell you, when I came home to find the box empty, I got so giddy refilling it.
We recently started a free pantry out front. My dad, who had started his own pantry a few years back, told me that it takes a while for the community to “discover” it, but once they do, it’ll start moving. We’re finally starting to see people use ours, dropping off new food, and taking things. I love the idea of a pantry that’s actually for the community and people can stop by and browse. We made it clear in front of ours that it’s not just for people who are food insecure, but EVERYONE, including those who don’t know what to make for dinner, missing an ingredient, or just need a snack on a walk. Hopefully that will reduce the stigma and make it feel less like a “charity” and normalize just sharing things in our neighborhood. It’s a work in progress, but let me tell you, when I came home to find the box empty, I got so giddy refilling it.