Little free pantries pop up around Blaine

A group is setting up four “Little Free Pantries,” around Blaine, stocked with food and personal hygiene items for those in need.

The first community pantry is at the 7th Street Community Garden on G Street and the second is on Runge Avenue near Pacific Building Center. Liz Parker, who built all the pantries with help from others who wanted to contribute during the coronavirus pandemic, said two more will soon be installed: one at United Church of Christ at 855 4th Street and another on the 1000 block of Peace Portal Drive.

Parker and several others stocked the two pantries that are currently installed, but they’re meant to be a place where people can drop off useful items that they don’t need and find stuff they can use. “Take what you need, provide what you can.” Parker said. “We’re hoping that the general public will help keep them stocked.”

Parker said she got the idea for the pantries after seeing an article about similar little free pantries in the Seattle Times. Others working on the project include Ann Lev, Kathleen Morgan, Jan Dawson, and Vrina and Dave England. 

Nonperishable food items, toothbrushes, soap, laundry detergent and other nonperishable personal items are ideal for the little free pantries, Parker said. Parker said she purchased supplies to build the pantries with help from a $250 grant from Thrivent Financial.