These Community Free-Access Pantries Are Restoring My Hope in Humanity
Remember a while back when those cute little free community library boxes started springing up all over the place? Those are cool. They’re a novel idea (see what I did there?), and have become fairly popular. There’s one just a block south of where I live. But the “little free pantry” initiative is some next level stuff. Instead of lending books to the community for free, these pantries offer free food to those in need. On many of the posts you’ll read a heartwarming message: “Take what you need. Give when you can.” And that’s as simple as it needs to be.
According to Upworthy.com, Jessica McClard of Fayetteville, Arkansas, is behind the grassroots effort. And sure enough, she was inspired by the community library boxes project. You can learn more about the initiative on littlefreepantry.org. But in the meantime, take a look at some of the pantries people have been putting together and posting online under the hashtag #littlefreepantry.
1. In Mableton, Georgia
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvmZCwDHqRy/
2. In Tacoma, Washington
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSyvNSFyYF/
3. In Rogers, Arkansas
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1AkdYVgmEV/
4. Probably in Columbus, Ohio
https://www.instagram.com/p/B01kOd0lN-m/
5. Littleton, Colorado
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0ys2JhnEjZ/
6. Greenville, North Carolina
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0wm6b1Dz7V/
7. Columbus, Ohio
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0uUWEqA15F/
8. Joliet, Illinois
https://www.instagram.com/p/BntE8smlEaO/
9. Location unknown
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz6ovJnl2vb/
10. Columbus, Ohio
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz3OPt1A69m/
11. Paris, Ontario (Canada!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0q70oRBYrx/
12. Yellow Springs, Ohio
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0UhCQLJfD5/
13. Location unknown
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Kd7RNHVvS/
14. Ascot Vale, Victoria (Australia!)
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0IBDBag59e/
15. Colorado
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz-3l_wFNv1/
16. Minocqua, Wisconsin
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzv92AxnkW7/
17. Salt Lake City, Utah
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bzi7pkFhcO-/
Check out more little free pantries on Instagram under the hashtag #littlefreepantry.
This initiative isn’t affiliated with the Church per se, but it has everything to do with the gospel of Jesus Christ. That’s what the Little Free Pantry project is all about, whether the people participating are Christians, Muslims, Taoists, or Atheists. All truth is gospel, and the gospel truths evident in this project transcend whatever church you associate with. It’s been awesome to especially see our Christian friends rally behind their communities through this project. It’s about kindness, charity, feeding the hungry, and caring for the poor. And every little bit helps.