The Little Free Pantry is a three-foot wooden box located on the church grounds adjacent to the driveway exit. It’s designed to support people in the community who are experiencing food insecurity by offering them enough nonperishable food or hygiene items to get them through the day.
Given the demonstrated need and homeless population in the community, the pantry is restocked twice a day. All items are free of charge.
With a motto of “take what you need and leave what you can,” the pantry offers the items while simultaneously encouraging the community to donate items into the box. People are encouraged to check expiration dates before donating.
Excess food donations are shared with the St. Margaret Mary Parish Food Bank in Lower Burrell.
The pantry is stocked with hygiene products, such as diapers and some toiletries. Nonperishable food items include but are not limited to baby food and cereal, canned goods, pasta, canned meals (such as SpaghettiOs), canned vegetables and fruits, raisins, peanut butter, crackers, cereal, canned and dried milk, ramen noodles, baked beans, canned tuna and chicken, canned ham, spam, instant mashed potatoes and stuffing, and complete meals where you just add water.
There are no restrictions on quantity, but participants are encouraged to refrain from hoarding.
The pantry is not intended to replace local food bank distributions nor regular grocery shopping.
The need for food is great, and monetary or nonperishable food donations are greatly appreciated.
Contact Sharon Matty for more information through the church office at 724-335-0559 or office@bethesdalutheran.comcastbiz.net