Hometown Hearts: Locals Create 'Little Free Pantry' - Patch.com

Hometown Hearts: Locals Create 'Little Free Pantry' - Patch.com

"Hometown Hearts" is a new Patch series spotlighting the men and women in our towns who give back selflessly to the communities they love.

GREENPORT, NY — It's all about neighbors helping neighbors.

So said Penelope Rudder, a Greenport resident explaining a new project that's long been near the top of her bucket list — to create a Little Free Pantry for those in need.

"It's just the neighborly thing to do," Rudder said — a place where those in need can go help themselves to donated essentials.

Rudder asked her neighbor, former Greenport Village Mayor David Nyce, for help.

"He is building this for me, improving on it a bit and as neighbors, we can soon open up this first Free Little Pantry," she said.

Rudder said the idea was born because she has a background in food and nutrition and is deeply interested in food justice, food waste, food insecurity — anything community and food related.

"I read about it awhile ago and thought, 'Wow! Bucket List!' This project addresses 'Minding The Gap,' which had kept me up at night wondering how I can help. It is a perfect fit. No waiting on legislation or policy change — just do it."

The first pantry will be located in Greenport, where Rudder lives, although an exact site has not yet been disclosed. She said she also has her eye on several additional sites.

The design needed some tweaks for the use and weather in Greenport to be "neighborhood" appropriate, and Rudder said she is thankful for Nyce's help. "His skills and generosity are a perfect fit," she said.

Her hope, Rudder said, is to stock the pantry with foods that are "thoughtful and nourishing, delicious and as high quality as possible. Share what you would like to eat. Most will have to be non-perishable; the next project on my Bucket List will address perishables," she said.

But certainly, some fresh items in season will be appreciated, Rudder said.
"Again, the concept here is 'neighbor to neighbor,'" she said.

Household items such as toilet paper, diapers, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, pet food, and children's items will be accepted. No clothes, no alcohol and nothing sharp will be allowed.

Rudder said she plans to stock most of the first one and there will be a suggested stock list posted inside.

"I have had offers to help me, and I'm so very grateful. Yes, please! I feel we will have a great group of pantry partners and pals in no time. The concept is 'give and take' and so stocking will also be of an organic flavor," Rudder said.

Anyone can donate at any time and most all donations are covered by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996, she said.

Anyone will be welcome to use the pantry. "Hunger is a 24 hour resident in every county in the U.S. The majority who are food insecure do not live in poverty. They are in The Gap. Hunger hides itself well, creates shame and embarrassment and has a devastating effect, especially on children and seniors. Well, this Pantry is a beginning — food justice is now being served! It is a safety net, dissolves all boundaries, gives anyone the opportunity to know their neighbors have something for them 24/7, no matter what, no questions asked."

Rudder said she has messages she hopes to share. "The first is I want this project to empower people to be a part of a shared, just community based around food. Food is a very unifying language when you let it be so. Secondly, please, make no assumptions. They will only lead to 'foul-up's,' as my dad used to say. Again, hunger hides itself well. Instead, have understanding. Understanding will lead to compassion and with that, good things happen. The Pantry doors will open and all will ebb and flow naturally. The third is, this is fun."

Rudder, a grandmother with a six year old grandson in Greenport and a six year old granddaughter in Brooklyn — her mom also lives in Greenport, unifying four generations — feels is it important to help those in need.

"We are all human beings and in this life together. I feel the very essence, the core of who we are is our connection to each other, our shared humanity and to help each other secure the basics. One of the great beauties of this project is that it does dissolve boundaries. It gives everyone a chance to give and take, to be part of the solution."

She hopes to lead by example, imbuing lessons through action. "Both grandchildren know of my deep love of Mother Earth and are becoming great protectors of Her resources," Rudder said. "People are our most precious resource and I want them to know that, and especially that we live in a world of loving support."

There are many creative, resourceful ways to find solutions to problems and the present time is the perfect time for individuals to show up and help, Rudder said.

"Stay curious and just begin, and you will find others along the way to join in. This project commits to the basics of what I feel 'community' is — a caring, just neighborhood that we are all are part of feeding and building. The Pantry will foster an open-hearted, open-armed care and concern for others and there will be a label on one section, 'Children's Cubbie,' so they feel their impact is more direct, a perfect spot for children to give and take treats, crayons and more for each other."

The goal is to "plant" the Pantry by the end of April and mark the day with a celebration.

The Pantry will be painted, to add creative artists to the mix, she said.

According to The Little Free Pantry website, the concept was born as "a grassroots, crowdsourced solution to immediate and local need. Whether a need for food or a need to give, the Little Free Pantry facilitates neighbors helping neighbors, building community."

And, said Jessica McClard, founder, "The Little Free Pantry movement is important because it re-centers food insecurity in the community, raising awareness of local need. It is important because it asks us to practice trust and compassion. Finally, Little Free Pantry is important because it creates space for giving at any level."

Rudder said she's excited to see a vision realized. "It's a dream come true — and many more to follow. Neighbors helping neighbors helping neighbors."

Patch photo courtesy The Little Free Pantry.

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