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Bainbridge Lions Club members recently enjoyed hearing about a community-wide project that provides food to people who would otherwise go hungry.  Lions invited Rev. Leslie Dellenbarger and Cathy Stevens to tell how the “little free food pantry” came to be a part of St. John’s Church.  Just before Covid-19 struck, members of the congregation became aware of unmet needs in Decatur County and arranged for students at Bainbridge High School to build the small structure needed for the pantry.  Then schools were shut down, but efforts continued through that time of struggle; after schools reopened the project resumed.  Now it is bringing together many people in the community to care for each other.

Mrs. Stevens, who takes care of project arrangements, reports that 1 out of 4 children in Decatur County faces hunger, and it is reported that 24% of residents in Decatur County live in poverty.  People needing food include homeless persons who require ready-to-eat foods with easy-open packaging such as pop top cans, as well as people in a temporary crisis who have access to kitchen facilities.  Mrs. Stevens reports that 40 to 50% of the people who come to distribution events are seniors.  About 30% of the people walk up to the distribution events since they lack other transportation; some of them bring a wagon, others come with a stroller or ride a bicycle.     

Foods are distributed on Mondays and Fridays from 10 to 11 AM.  Non-perishable foods, along with some vegetables or produce, are available on Mondays. Purchases and donations obtained on Thursday may include fresh produce or frozen foods which are made available on Fridays.  Foods are gathered and boxed up based on providing for a family of four; additional food is provided for larger households.  Some food deliveries are made to persons who are disabled or frail.  In addition to those scheduled distribution events, the Little Free Food Pantry makes shelf stable, ready-to-eat food available to anyone, 24 hours a day every day.

The United States Department of Agriculture is a major source of supplies, and much of the food is sourced through Second Harvest of the Big Bend.  Since January 1 of this year, 24,000 pounds of food have been provided to people in Decatur County, including canned foods and fresh produce, at an overall cost of 13 cents a pound.

While meeting the needs of people desperate for food is the driving force behind the Little Free Food Pantry operation, there is another part of this story that may be equally significant.  Individuals, groups and organizations from all across the region are coming together as neighbors to collaborate, talking with each other, getting to know each other as they work with each other to help in preparation and serving at distribution events.  We may be surprised at what we learn about each other, and even people who are “not like us.”  Are you surprised to hear that homeless people come to volunteer?  Perhaps we don’t know each other as well as we thought, and much can be gained by working alongside our neighbors.

The little free food pantry project has brought together many persons and organizations from widely dispersed groups in the region and built an active community collaborating to accomplish a shared mission.  High school students, scout groups, the Salvation Army, the Mormon Church, the Methodist Church and other churches, several banks, and businesses – many different people, have linked up to work together.

Collaboration brings many benefits; avoiding waste is a big benefit when we want food supply to go to feed hungry people.  Any food not distributed is sent to the soup kitchen or the Salvation Army, assuring that nothing is wasted.

Also, this sharing and caring response is not limited to food.  In the same small structure as the pantry, in a separate section in back of the food, is a Little Free Library, with books and magazines.  Clothing and blankets are also available as weather brings a chill in Autumn.

If you are not yet involved with this project, you are invited to join in the effort.  You can meet up with volunteers who come to help at St. John’s at 9 AM on Monday or Friday.  For more information, you may contact Mrs. Cathy Stevens at 229-254-0354.