The Little Free Food Pantry located at the Washington Public Library is meeting a need in the community — helping to feed the hungry.
That is the message from Pastor Aimee Appell with Peace Lutheran Church and Library Director Claire Miller, who addressed the city’s administration and operations committee Monday, Oct. 22.
Earlier this month, officials discussed relocating the Little Free Food Pantry positioned outside the library.
Miller asked the council to keep the pantry where it is.
“We are available to everybody in the community,” she said. “As long as they follow the rules, they can come in.”
Miller added the library oftentimes is a referral center for services offered within the community. That makes the facility an appropriate place for a little pantry.
At the Oct. 15 city council meeting, Councilman Steve Sullentrup said he has been monitoring the pantry outside the library where there is “hardly any activity.” Council members considered moving the pantry to a location outside the police station.
The statements were a continuation of council discussions on homelessness in Washington earlier in October.
On Monday, the Franklin County Homeless Task Force presented to the Washington Administration/Operations Committee. The organization was asked to address council members following recent discussions concerning the apparent increase of homeless people here.
About Pantries
Last year the city partnered with the Franklin County Community Resource Board to place the small pantries in public locations.
One goal of the pantry is to help feed the homeless, and others who may need assistance.
Similar to the Little Free Libraries, the pantry is a box stocked with food and toiletries. The motto of the little pantry is “Take what you need, give back what you can.”
There also is a little pantry located on the property of Peace Lutheran Church.
According to Appell, neighbors of the church initially were “anxious” of the pantry’s location, however, there have been no issues there.
“Mostly those who are taking food are actually people living in homes, but are food insecure,” she said.
In addition to the library and Peace Lutheran, little pantries also are at the Washington Four Rivers YMCA, St. Francis Borgia Regional High School and The Pregnancy Assistance Center.
Earlier this year a food pantry was removed from the Washington Riverfront due to litter and an unsafe atmosphere the pantry attracted.
Appell added the library is an appropriate place for the pantry because it is public, and provides a “safe and warm” environment for the homeless.
According to Miller, the library has strengthened its policies for all patrons. There is no sleeping in the building, nor stretching out.
The staff has segregated its computers, with those available for families with children in one area of the library. There also is a separate computer area for ages 10 to 17.
“We are aware of how things are going and we are trying to be proactive,” Miller said.
