MASSILLON They heard from many critics that it wasn't going to work. After all, it was an idea they saw on Facebook.
But nearly a month after the community cupboard opened, it gets daily visitors reaping the benefits made possible by the generosity of others.
Sarah Barkheimer and Jill Kozelek-Carbajal saw the idea of a community food pantry on Facebook.
When Barkheimer told Kozelek-Carbajal, owner of Utopian Bizarre, that she wanted to create food pantry where people could leave or take items but she didn't have a location, the pair decided the business at 4 Cherry Road NE would be a great location.
"I saw the same thing the day before (on Facebook)," Kozelek-Carbajal said. "I thought it would be cool."
On the back porch of Utopian Bizarre, a plastic storage cabinet is filled with a variety of canned goods, cake mixes, pods for automatic brewing machines, diapers, baby food, toilet paper, shampoo and more.
Anyone who needs a helping hand is welcome to visit the cupboard 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"Our motto is take what you need, leave what you can," Barkheimer said.
The idea behind the food pantry, Kozelek-Carbajal explained, is to help neighbors get through a few days until they can get to an established food bank or until the next paycheck arrives.
Barkheimer stocked the food pantry with items she purchased through couponing. The pair has advertised the pantry on social media sites and through word of mouth.
The shelves have remained full with the help of others, she said.
Community effort a blessing
On many days, when Kozelek-Carbajal arrives at her business, she finds the back steps filled with donations.
So many items have been gifted that they are trying to secure a second storage cabinet.
"What I want to see some day when I come in is somebody organizing and putting the stuff in the cabinet. It's not just Sarah and I stocking it and checking for dates but it's a real community effort," Kozelek-Carbajal said.
For all the naysayers, the duo has received many thanks.
"We get messages from people thanking us and telling us we are such a blessing," Barkheimer said. "They say how kind we are and how grateful they are to have people like us in the community."
Kozelek-Carbajal said the pantry will remain open and urges users not to be greedy. She also recently installed a security-camera system to ensure those using the pantry are safe.
Many people using the pantry are coming at night, she said, adding they put the cupboard on the back porch to allow people anonymity and maintain their dignity.
The pair asks that no non-perishable food or clothing be dropped off for the pantry.
Page 2 of 2 - "At times we get bombarded with things and other times we won't have anything," Barkheimer said.
Recently, they were able to offer fresh-picked tomatoes, and on Saturdays a local distributor will be dropping off baked goods, including bread, snack cakes and more.
Kat Pestian, communications coordinator at Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank, praised Barkheimer and Kozelek-Carbajal for coming up with an innovative idea to bring the community together for a good cause.
"It's such a blessing of my job to talk with people who are helping each other," she said. "It's one of the favorite parts of my job. The face of hunger can be anyone. It could be your neighbor."
One in four kids in Stark County will struggle with hunger this year, Pestian said. About 57,080 Stark County residents, including 19,760 children lack reliable access to affordable, nutritious food.
Thirty-four percent of those without food live above the federal poverty level making them ineligible for assistance through federal programs, and they must rely on emergency food assistance from food pantries, according to figures from the Akron-Canton Regional Food Bank.
Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.
On Twitter: @aknappINDE
