Jessica McClard launched the grassroots mini pantry movement in May 2016 in Fayetteville, AR, when she planted the Little Free Pantry Pilot, a wooden box on a post containing food, personal care, and paper items accessible to everyone all the time, no questions asked. She hoped her spin on the Little Free Library® concept would pique local awareness of food insecurity while creating a space for neighbors to help meet neighborhood food needs.
A little over a month later, CrystalRock Cathedral Women’s Ministries planted Blessing Box in Ardmore, OK. By August 2016, the movement was global. Throughout the US and internationally, the grassroots mini pantry movement continues growing and moving.
Follow the simple steps below to create a Little Free Pantry in your own local neighborhood.
How to get involved
Time:
Your Little Free Pantry can take as much or as little time as you have available to dedicate to it.Setting up your Little Free Pantry will take a few days over time to get up and running (planning, sourcing, creating, stocking, launching).We recommend assuming approximately 2 hours per week to maintain it thereafter.
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