Woman starts Little Free Pantry movement in Hermitage - WKRN.com

Woman starts Little Free Pantry movement in Hermitage - WKRN.com

(Photo: WKRN)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – You may have heard of or seen “Little Free Libraries” around Nashville–the water-tight boxes filled with donated books that anyone can borrow.

Now, an off-shoot movement called “Little Free Pantry” has arrived in Hermitage.

Jacquline Sampson, 64, got the idea to build her own community pantry after watching a video about the movement online.

(Photo: WKRN)

“I yelled to my husband, ‘Sam! Sam! Get up and come here!'” Sampson told News 2. “He thought I was hurting or something. I said, ‘Look, we can do this and make a difference.'”

So Sampson built the box over the weekend, and with the little money she had, she went to the grocery store to fill it.

People have already come by to donate more non-perishables. Three families have also been by to pick up items that they can use.

(Photo: WKRN)

Sampson says she was inspired to build her own Little Free Pantry because of her own experience. Seventeen years ago, her husband had a brain aneurysm and she had to quit her job to take care of him.

“We didn’t have the help,” said Sampson. “We didn’t know where to go. I didn’t know about the welfare system and stuff.”

Now she’s giving back and with it, has gained a sense of identity.

“It makes me feel good inside and like I’ve got a purpose again,” said Sampson.

Sampson’s food pantry is located at 4667 Forest Ridge Drive in Hermitage. You can also make your own Little Free Pantry by building a water-tight box and filling it with food that won’t spoil.

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