Community Chat

[AuntG]

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@Kachina624 wrote:

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

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@Kachina624  being a rural area, I agree rodents and bigger animals could be an issue. The storage cabinet that will sit at the curb has glass doors on it. I've decided to work with our traditional food pantry that serves 80 families. We have refrigeration units and bring in fresh produce so I can't imagine why anyone would want to walk down a country road carrying food from an unattended wooden box. 

[RedTop]

I am aware several of these secure boxes are set up in this area, and they are utilized frequently by college students and young moms with school age children.   

@AuntG, based on what I’m told by someone who is involved in checking the box closest to me, NOTHING stays in these boxes long enough to be damaged from heat or cold.   A very dedicated small community keeps the box well stocked, as students look frequently for granola bars, pudding cups, single serve cereal, cans of soup, mac and cheese, beef jerky, juice boxes, anything microwaveable.   

[GenXmuse]

Instead of thinking about everything that could go wrong, think about what could go right. I’d have no problem contributing non perishables that can’t be tampered with. 

[Pook]

I am not against helping the needy but with food pantries and SNAP very few if any should be in need.  The ones who do not ask for these helps surely are not going to use Little Free Pantries anyway.  It seems more for those setting it up to feel good about themselves than really helpful with hunger.

[RedTop]

I just talked with the person assigned to check this local pantry box 3x a week, and she said the snack pantry has been in place for 2 years now, and they’ve never had an animal/rodent problem, no bears or coyotes, no food tampering, no weather issues, etc.   The Women’s Club, and an adult Sunday School class are the ones co-sponsoring the box, but a lot of local people are donating and keeping it filled.   

The box is within a block of 2 schools and is tapped multiple times daily.  It is checked daily, as all of the co-sponsors have assigned days to check the box, and typically add their donation on that day.   Pop tarts, granola bars, juice boxes, any snack crackers or cookies are the most popular items.   Many scraps of paper that simply say “thank you” are left in the box as well.

[lynnie61]

I’ve heard some schools in our area are starting food pantry’s so kids can have access to food for nights or weekends and can take it without judgement.  It’s sad that some who need it can’t get it or sell their foods stamps or vouchers to support their addictions.  Some local businesses here have paid off “unpaid” school lunch bills at some locals school districts.  I heard a news story this morning that a local car dealership was paying off the school lunch debt in two districts. That is admirable. 

When we we talk about all of our purging efforts here it really makes me feel blessed.  It has made me make more mindful purchases.  We are blessed, sometimes buy too much STUFF and many can not afford food.

[CrazyDaisy]

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@Pook wrote:

I am not against helping the needy but with food pantries and SNAP very few if any should be in need.  The ones who do not ask for these helps surely are not going to use Little Free Pantries anyway.  It seems more for those setting it up to feel good about themselves than really helpful with hunger.

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These type of pantries are designed as a bridge not a long term solution.  

[GenXmuse]

Our elementary school has a food box area in a discreet area for parents. We also have a clothes closet. This is by donation so none of your tax money is threatened. 

[Financialgrl]

No, don't think it's a good idea.   I too think things can freeze or explode from heat.  I try to donate money to the local food bank and when it begins to get cold the boy scouts often collect non-parishables to send to the food pantry or give to poor families. 

They hand you a flier before going into store and usually ask for specific donations like rice, pasta, soup, etc.  I also live in an over 55 community and they do the same thing - you have an option of writing a check or donating non-parishables (these are usually ppl living here whose church is having a food drive).  

[Gorgf]

@SilleeMee  I noticed today that one could donate at the local Supermarket, $5 to the Food Shelf upon checking out. Ours also  takes extra garden produce this time of year.