BRIDGEHAMPTON, NY — Even in the tony Hamptons, there are families going to bed hungry.
And there is a need to bridge the gap that widens after food pantries, most of which have limited hours, close, said Michael Daly, board member at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork.
That's why, Daly said, a new Little Free Pantry set to open to the public on Nov. 10 at noon at the church, located at 977 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike in Bridgehampton, could mean everything to a family struggling to put food on the table.
The Little Free Pantry, a wooden structure that stands outside the church, was inspired by the first on the East End, a labor of love by Penelope Rudder in Greenport. That Little Free Pantry was dedicated in 2018 and has seen a steady flow of individuals both making use of its bounty and also, stepping up to ensure its shelves are never bare.
Rudder, Daly said, has been a great source of information. "We are very excited to be launching it just before Thanksgiving," he said. "We're looking forward to serving our community."
Even in the Hamptons, where multi-million dollar homes dot the landscape, "there is a very serious need," Daly said. "People don't recognize the poverty and the food shortages that we have here."
And while traditional food pantries are only open on certain days and hours, the Little Free Pantry will be open 24/7.
Rudder is thrilled to see the Little Free Pantry love spreading: Another location was just approved and will be opening in the Town of Islip, as well.
Of the Bridgehampton Little Free Pantry, Rudder said Daly is a "bridge builder, a door opener to so much good." The pair met more than a year ago and shared their vision of "changing the world," she said, thanking Daly and the UUCSF congregation. "Thank you for helping to build a more beautiful world right here, in our backyards," she said.
The Bridgehampton Little Free Pantry has messages of love and positivity written by members of the church and community. When the pantry is painted, the messages will remain underneath the paint and become part of the pantry's "soul," Daly said.
Once stocked, the pantry's shelves will hold staples including peanut butter, beans, cereals, applesauce, soups, bandages and crayons — all the nourishing, useful things that so many take for granted, but which, for the needy, can mean everything, and the difference between going to bed hungry or going to school without.
Rudder, who conceived of the idea, said the pantry is a way for neighbors to help neighbors in need.
Hunger knows no demographic boundaries, Rudder said, offering startling statistics: One in six Caucasian individuals suffers from hunger, one in four Latinos or black individuals often do not have enough to eat, and one in three college students often struggles to stock their cupboards with food, she said.
But the problem, Rudder said, is often cloaked in silence and secrecy, with shame keeping dire circumstances hidden. "The scary thing about hunger is that it's anonymous," she said. The working hungry, she said, scraping together enough for rent, might go home to only a meal of toast for dinner. "If that," Rudder said.
To that end, the pantry is free, and open and available to all, with no judgment, she said.
The backbone of the project, she said, centers on "having deep faith in the goodness of people, building community up around it and watching all the caring interactions of neighbors spring forth. Amazing." Rudder said that she used the word "neighbors" in a global sense. Many of those reaching out, she hasn't even met yet.
Rudder, a Greenport resident, said she had long hoped 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. The hope is to "elevate" the traditional list of staples, donating wholesome, healthy foods not packed with sugar; donations should not include expired items, 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."
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 is allowed.
"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," she said.
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."
