For some time, Little Free Libraries have been emerging in Fayetteville, Arkansas and a local jogger named Jessica Mcclard started wondering why they were such a success. “My feeling is little free structures both create space for neighborliness and address social problems,” McClard told Huffpost. This is how she came up with The Little Free Pantry initiative.
When Thrivent Financial funded her for $250, she set up her first free pantry next to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville. The project became an immediate success. Now it has over 10K fans on FB and has already inspired others to build free pantries in South Fayetteville and Ardmore, Oklahoma.
When Jessica saw Little Free Libraries popping up in her town, she came up with an even better idea
She built a little free pantry so people could leave food and goods for those in need
On the 10th of May she installed her first box next to the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Jessica was amazed with the response - people were filling the pantries in no time!
The project now has more than 10,000 fans on Facebook and little pantries are popping up in other locations
“Peanut butter and jelly, feminine hygiene products and diapers are in demand”
“My feeling is little free structures both create space for neighborliness and address social problems”
Since one pantry was close to a school, she also made sure kids get necessary school supplies
You can support The Little Free Pantry project in two ways - by putting items inside or starting your own Little Free Pantry!
