It might look like just a small box, but members of Unity Church, like Ann Leach who has actively attended more than 30 years, sees it as much more than that. She explains how the food pantry started and flourished.
"A couple of volunteers here saw the need and they built the box for us. Our members contribute, but what's really cool is that a lot of the neighbors will come by and drop things into the pantry as well," stated Leach.
Since its construction about a year ago, the outdoor pantry has been filled with all kinds of items.
"I put cat food and dog food in there occasionally, a lot of the soaps and personal care items that I think are important," stated Leach.
And donations tend to disappear quickly as this is a low-income neighborhood. Minister Gordon Keyler explains.
"I personally know of about a dozen families that it services and there's more," stated Keyler.
But recently, the pantry has been looking pretty bare.
"You know, people tend to donate a lot around the holidays and that's wonderful, but hunger is all year round," he explained.
The hot temperatures do make it harder to keep the pantry stocked, but Leach says that you just have to be aware and willing to adapt.
"As the seasons change, we continue to fill it but also conscious of what will keep for people as well," she stated.
And giving to those in need brings Leach joy.
"It's an ongoing issue in our community and so being able to keep that in the forefront of people's minds when they drive by and see that box, when they come and talk to any of us, I think it's really important that we remember that giving is everyday and so is our gratitude," Leach states.
Rodney Rambo, Executive Director of Crosslines says many small food pantries struggle to stay stocked, but Crosslines allows churches to pool their resources and rarely gets low.
