Little Free Pantry at the Chimacum Grange
What is a Little Free Pantry?
The mini pantry movement is a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Located across the United States and the world, mini pantries help feed neighbors, nourishing neighborhoods. Modeled on Little Free Libraries, Little Free Pantries are “take what you need, leave what you can.” Each is a centrally located cupboard that holds non-perishable food, available for all, regardless of need. They are a piece of the food safety net for friends and neighbors who may not have enough to eat—but they can also serve as a way to build community.
Caring neighbors can stock after school snacks (or school supplies!) for students, personal care items like soap or hygiene products, or a box of mac ‘n cheese for anyone who didn’t make it past the grocery store on their way home for the day. In all places, the Little Free Pantry is for those who want and/or need to give.
The Community Wellness Project, with support from the Jefferson Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund, has partnered with local organizations to install two new Little Free Pantries in the Tri-Area.
Click here for a list of staples for stocking our Little Free Pantries.
Chimacum Grange
Just across from the Chimacum School main campus, the Chimacum Grange is a community gathering place. Now you can find a Little Free Pantry where neighbors help neighbors stay nourished and well. Find yourself in need of a can of soup or a bag of rice? The LFP is located just beside the front door.
Irondale Church
For many years the Irondale Church has offered weekly free meals of hot soup for hungry locals. Now they also host a Little Free Pantry in the parking lot out front—friends and neighbors can “take what they need, leave what they can,” adding one more layer of food safety net to their neighborhood.
Want to get involved?
Little Free Pantries need regular TLC—every other day or so they require a restock, refresh, and tidying up. The Community Wellness Project coordinates volunteers to take shifts at each of the LFP’s in our network. (Rotary Club of East Jefferson County has been an enthusiastic LFP caretaker this COVID summer!) There is also a Little Free Pantry in Port Townsend at Dove House, cared for by the employees of Jefferson Healthcare, and one soon to be added at the Port Townsend Food Coop. We welcome inquiries from business, organizations, or individuals who are interested in hosting a Little Free Pantry. Please reach out to pantry(at)jccwp.org for more information.
