The first Little Free Pantry in Langford has seen a complete turnover of taken and donated goods in its first week, according to its founders from the Saanich Baptist Church.
The pantry at 2878 Leigh Rd. opened Sept. 19 and is stocked with canned goods, granola bars, chips and cereal for anonymous access by community members in need. In one week, at least 60 items of food have been donated to the pantry, which holds around 30, said co-founder Kevin Clark.
The area surrounding the pantryB次元官网网址檚 location has seen an increase in subsidized housing, added co-founder Gerry Alderliesten.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a community around there that needs help, especially with the brutal cost of living in housing,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淎nd some people are those who just wonB次元官网网址檛 go to a food bank.B次元官网网址 The Little Free Pantry allows people to discreetly stop by, take what they need and walk away, he added.
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Kept from congregating during the pandemic, Clark, Alderliesten, their families and another volunteer met to brainstorm ways to serve the community during what they determined was a time of need. The Little Free Pantry idea was inspired by an identical feature in Rock Bay.
B次元官网网址淥ne of the family members of our group had a garage and a workshop, so we all worked on it together,B次元官网网址 Alderliesten said of constructing the pantry. B次元官网网址淓ven the kids were doing things like sanding, painting and all that.B次元官网网址
Reception throughout their community and online has also been B次元官网网址渆xtremely positive,B次元官网网址 he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a little bit overwhelming, actually. We donB次元官网网址檛 know yet how well this is going to work, if itB次元官网网址檚 going to take off or be used B次元官网网址 but the publicity is nice for people to know that itB次元官网网址檚 there.B次元官网网址
ItB次元官网网址檚 equally important, he said, that people know to donate to the pantry as well, so B次元官网网址渋t becomes a community sharing sort of thing.B次元官网网址
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