Helping neighbors in need!

You have probably noticed the addition of a new little red trimmed box on a pole in the parking lot near the playground. That’s our new Free Little Pantry--a new addition to our Benevolence Program!

The Free Little Pantry is intended to provide a discreet way for us to share non-perishable food items and essential hygiene products with community members who need them.

 

Free Little Pantries show up in communities nationwide to address a need for emergency food assistance, and we are excited to participate with our own Free Little Pantry. They provide an option for folks who can’t get to a larger pantry or to a food bank by offering some immediate help.

Our Free Little Pantry program is here to help those in need -- anonymously, no questions asked, no signing up, and a convenient place to go. People are sometimes reluctant to ask for help, and this gives a discreet way to provide them with help. The program encourages needy people to "Take what you need and be blessed", and church members to "Share as you are able."

 

Since our Free Little Pantry is new, we have been trying to determine what food and other products are most in need for our neighbors. We started with a determined inventory of items, and volunteers have checked weekly to see what is being used, what is not, and to restock what has been taken. Based on our observation over the last few weeks, the most used items have been food items that can be eaten with very minimal or no preparation, and some basic hygiene products.

Below are items that are particularly in demand:

 

• Canned meats [tuna, Vienna sausages, Spam]

• Cans of soup or stew

• Pre-made meals to be heated

• Cans of pastas and other ready to eat meals

• Breakfast cereal

• Peanut butter

• Jelly

• Macaroni & cheese

• Fruit cups

• Small bags of nuts, pretzels, etc.

• Feminine products

• Hygiene products [toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo]

 

The Free Little Pantry is small,  so it cannot stock the quantity and variety other food pantries can. If you want to be involved, you can leave some items from the suggested list or you can make a donation specified for the Free Little Pantry, and the funds will be used to purchase replacement items.

The Free Little Pantry is another way we can show God’s love in our community!