Building Food Security, One Neighborhood at a Time
Imagine if every neighborhood in America had a free, accessible food pantry—every school, church, fire and union hall. Neighbors could slip a few canned or boxed goods into the pantry while walking the dog or take something out if it’s a hard week.
This is the vision behind Kelly’s Kitchen Accessible Little Free Pantry Program. Approved applicants are sent an accessible, easily assembled small pantry and a voucher to fill it up with groceries. So far, nearly 50 pantries have been placed around the United States, and there are plans to send out 112 more in the first round of grants.
“Guess who’s getting a little free pantry,” posted grantee Sheryl Richard-Jackson, president of It Takes a Village in Beaumont, Texas.
“Yes, one will be delivered to my home after the holidays! With the help of the community, I can keep it stocked. God just keeps on sending those blessings and I’m very grateful and appreciative of each one.”
Sheryl’s application was quickly approved so she could begin feeding her community.
“Glad mine was approved also. I can’t wait to set it up next month!”
Sierra Gothe, who runs a nonprofit called Giving Heart, also in Beaumont, Texas, echoed this sentiment.
Ready to Place a Free Pantry in Your Community?
Consider applying for an Accessible Little Free Pantry for your own community. If approved, Kelly’s Kitchen will send you the pantry, also known as a “Blessing Box,” and a small grant to stock it. In return, please take a photo of your installed pantry and commit to keeping it refilled, perhaps with the help of your neighbors.
Your new pantry will be added to both the Little Free Pantry movement map and the Kelly’s Kitchen Food Security Network to ensure that it can be found by people looking for food resources in your area.