topic Re: Little Free Pantry in Community Chat

Little Free Pantry

AuntG — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:38:13 GMT

It's been suggested that our local community set up outdoor (unmanned) food pantries. The goods are placed in a covered box that has a window in front to display the contents. Do you think this would be feasible in cold and hot weather? I can envision things freezing or exploding. Plus are things like plastic food cups safe when enclosed in a box that could get dangerously hot? I don't want to discourage anyone, but I also worry about someone tampering with the products. Oh, and we have a food bank already, but because you have to sign up, some people say this anonymous way of feeding the poor will take away any stigma. Any thoughts?

Re: Little Free Pantry

alicedee — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:51:04 GMT

It seems to me the integrity of some items could really be affected by weather extremes. You also brought up a good point about food being in a setting where it could be tampered with. Sadly, in these times that is a valid concern.

In our town any church denomination will give a food voucher (or box of groceries if they have their own pantry) to anyone who asks...no forms filled out. Perhaps it would be safer for the community to work with churches or a community center to do something similar for those who are embarrassed to go sign up at the pantry?

And if they are in need all the time....the pantry is there for them. Yes it might be embarrassing for some to sign up....,but if it’s that or go hungry, they have to do what needs to be done...,and perhaps they can pay it forward someday...or they helped others in the past.

I’m sure most pantry volunteers are kind and sensitive to not embarrassing anyone...they are volunteering because they are caring people.

Re: Little Free Pantry

Kachina624 — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:56:01 GMT

While the effort is admirable, I foresee many potential problems that would over-ride any advantages. If I was really hungry or had kids to feed, I think common sense and hunger would over-ride any hesitancy to use a food bank. It's a duplication of effort.

Re: Little Free Pantry

CelticCrafter — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 17:59:33 GMT

I don't think it's a good idea. There's no way of knowing that it would be used only by those that are truly in need.

I know someone that would have no problem taking from it, only because it's free and it's being given away anyway. Not only would they take for themselves but also for friends, he did it this weekend with tons of personal care items we were donating to those that are less fortunate.

Re: Little Free Pantry

Cakers3 — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:08:54 GMT

I would vote no.

It sounds like a very charitable thing to do but there is an honesty factor here that would be an issue.

I understand a person may feel uncomfortable signing up at the food bank but the food bank will have so much more to offer than a few items in an unmanned box.

Where would this little pantry be set up and how would word get out?

Re: Little Free Pantry

Cakers3 — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:22:51 GMT

@AuntG I looked this up and it appears to be inspired by the Little Free Libray.

Little Free Pantry .org

(wasn't sure if I should link)

Re: Little Free Pantry

Travone — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:29:26 GMT

My city has this. It just started so I don't know how it will work. But, I think they are asking people to deposit staple that will not spoil.....pasta, canned goods etc.

As for those withdrawing the items, it is the honor system. Hopefully it will be just those in need.

Re: Little Free Pantry

Pqfan — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:40:56 GMT

I love this idea!

It would last about 2 seconds in my neighborhood but I love it.

Food tampering and theft might be an issue.😔

Re: Little Free Pantry

Cakers3 — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 18:46:05 GMT

Here is the link: I don't think it will violate standards.

http://www.littlefreepantry.org/

Re: Little Free Pantry

SilleeMee — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:10:09 GMT

The best thing to do to help the needy is to donate money to a charity program....to a food bank, for example. They will do the rest.

Most food bank places need money more than they need food, especially during the off-holiday times when people don't give much of anything.

Re: Little Free Pantry

CrazyDaisy — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:01:24 GMT

I have seen a few of those however do not know how they have worked out. They had mostly canned goods. People would take what they needed and others would add to it when they could.

Re: Little Free Pantry

Misplaced Parisian — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:04:05 GMT

My alma mater (university) has one on the edge of campus. I donate frequently to it and usually stock it with mac-n-cheese cups, ramen cups, etc. I live in the heart of the USA so extreme temperatures come into play. When the temperatures are moderate, I donate other items like protein bars, etc.

Re: Little Free Pantry

AuntG — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:09:32 GMT

At least I'm not the only one that sees flaws. Only one person at our food pantry sees the name of the applicants. After that, they are just given a number when they visit. Our neighborhood doesn't even have sidewalks so it's mostly people walking their dogs. I'd much rather continue donating food at church that is then taken to the larger food pantry. I guess we'll just wait and see if these boxes are used.

Re: Little Free Pantry

cherry — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:15:08 GMT

Working at a pantry I will say, you have to be very careful about donations. I am sorry to say, we live in a world where food has been tampered with..

Everything we distribute is safe and wholesome. Even if the donors have the best intentions in the world, some sick person could come by ,and slip something in, that no one knows about

I have never seen anyone that was turned away from a food pantry or felt they were being stigmatized by the volunteers

Re: Little Free Pantry

RetRN — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:23:47 GMT

@cherry wrote:

I have never seen anyone that was turned away from a food pantry or felt they were being stigmatized by the volunteers.

Not stigmatized by the volunteers, but I have heard people say that they felt judged by others who saw them at the pantry.

Re: Little Free Pantry

CelticCrafter — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 19:39:49 GMT

@RetRN wrote:

@cherry wrote:

I have never seen anyone that was turned away from a food pantry or felt they were being stigmatized by the volunteers.
Not stigmatized by the volunteers, but I have heard people say that they felt judged by others who saw them at the pantry.

Our township food pantry is set up so that the people dropping off donations at the front door do not see the people picking up at the back door.

Re: Little Free Pantry

Sooner — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:47:31 GMT

All school lunches are now free, food pantries give stuff away free to college students--no questions ask.

I have a question: When everything is free who will pay for it?

Re: Little Free Pantry

cherry — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 20:52:37 GMT

This is stuff the stores throw away. They give it to us before it's sell by date expires It is food that would have ended up in the dump, at some point..Today we had Girl Scout cookies to distribute, along with canned goods, fresh produce ,and staples and meat

Re: Little Free Pantry

AuntG — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 21:50:36 GMT

@Sooner wrote:
All school lunches are now free, food pantries give stuff away free to college students--no questions ask.

I have a question: When everything is free who will pay for it?

-------

@Sooner

The man setting it up will ask for food donations in a church newsletter. He didn't ask for cash to buy food. As someone else mentioned, this is in line with those little libraries people set up on the sidewalk. His biggest reason is that this is anonymous because he thinks people are too proud to go to a food pantry. Ours is well run and workers keep it confidential so I think he should join in with the existing pantry.

Re: Little Free Pantry

Kachina624 — Thu, 29 Aug 2019 22:29:04 GMT

Wouldn't this food, kept outside, tend to attract rodents and larger animas like raccoons, possums, even stray dogs? Any bears where you live?