Tina Doughty saw the little house-shaped cabinet filled with food and other supplies on social media.
It was a free pantry offering goods to those in need, but it was in a resident's yard.
“I thought it was so cool,” she said.
Doughty contacted the woman responsible. She learned it was part of a project called Little Free Pantry of Omaha. There are five locations in Omaha. Three are at private residences.
That's when Doughty decided to place a pantry in her own yard at 110 W. Eagle St., Arlington.
“I thought small-town Arlington or anyone — we all go through hard times,” she said. “I just thought it would be something cool to have in our town.”
Little Free Pantry started in May 2016 in Fayetteville, Ark., to support those dealing with food insecurity, according to the website littlefreepantryofomaha.com.
The goal was to bring community members together to provide easily accessible foods and goods to those in need.
Doughty hopes her pantry will do the same.
“I hope people use it,” she said. “I hope they don't feel embarrassed to use it.”
The pantry, which was built and painted by volunteers, is filled with nonperishable foods and toiletries. It can also be stocked with baby products and school supplies.
There are no rules for the pantry.
“Whoever wants to use it can use it,” Doughty said. “They don't have to ask me. I'm not monitoring it.”
People who want to donate can place items directly into the pantry or leave them with Doughty.
“I have all these people who already say they are going to donate,” she said.
Doughty also plans to add one additional sign to the project. It will read, “Take what you need, leave what you can.”
