Small note that our little free pantry in the back by the garage has been in steady use since we started it. Foods that disappear within a day or two, usually: peanut butter, strawberry jam, tuna fish, canned chicken, canned pears and peaches. Kevin and I are trying to keep those items stocked.
Other things move a little more slowly, but pasta, popcorn, other nut butters also tend to go within a week. Every once in a while, someone takes something more random that’s in there, like granola bars, oatmeal packets, coconut milk, soup, etc. (I wonder if soup will become more popular as it gets cooler.)
If you’re a local in need, please do stop by — 332 Pennsylvania Ave. If you’re in a position to drop things off, that’s welcome too. I need to put a sign on those booster seats indicating they’re free — they’re in good condition, never in a crash.
It makes me crazy that America doesn’t take better care of its people.
I’d be very interested to hear your thoughts about the benefits of buying specific food for anonymous pickup vs. giving money to food banks (who can get bulk value) or directly giving out money (which people can use to target their specific needs). I’ve been turning those questions over in my mind as I think about whether to set up a Free Pantry of our own. At this point I’m thinking “all of the above,” but the pantry seems like significantly more work to sustain than the other options.