The Little Free Pantry: A Q&A with the founding mama from Fayetteville

Have you heard about The Little Free Pantry that Jessica McClard started in Fayetteville recently? There’s been a huge buzz around her great idea.

We wanted to get the scoop on Jessica and how her LFP pantry movement is already growing across Northwest Arkansas.

Here’s a Q&A with Jessica about her big idea:

What exactly is the Little Free Pantry?

The Little Free Pantry applies the Little Free Library concept to help neighbors address local food insecurity, which is just a fancy way to say I built what looks exactly like a Little Free Library and put food in it!

The Little Free Pantry is “crowdfunded;” those who donate contribute nonperishable items of their choosing, placing items directly inside the pantry. The pantry contents then become available to anyone.

Where did the idea come from?

I am both an avid runner and reader. When neighbors placed a Little Free Library in their yard, I’d swing by on runs and browse the shelves. Even though the Little Free Library concept encourages users to “take a book, leave a book,” I always felt I could take without giving back—that the spirit of the Little Free Library was about neighbors promoting an activity which makes life better for so many, including me!

As Little Free Libraries were popping up all over Fayetteville last summer, I began to wonder if that compelling idea could address other quality-of-life issues, and the Little Free Pantry was born.

While there are other similar projects (mini-fridges, etc.), a couple of which I’ve linked in The Little Free Pantry Facebook page, the Little Free Pantry is my original idea.

Where is it located?

The LFP is located at the Rolling Hills entrance to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, street address 2925 N Old Missouri Rd, Fayetteville, AR, 72703.

Can people in the community help you stock it?

Please!

The first day “live,” so many generous people indicated desire to help support the project, I was concerned about space under the pantry becoming a collection point; however, need has far outpaced supply.

Are you encouraging other people to start their own free-standing pantries?

YES! A single Little Free Pantry is “little.” Lots could be BIG, becoming another tactic to address food insecurity in our neighborhoods, communities, cities…

Are any other pantries currently being built?

I know of plans for at least two other LFPs locally and one in Northeast Arkansas. Multiple individuals and groups interested in and with questions about duplicating the project contact me daily.

What’s your background? Have you always had an interest in helping people in your community?

I grew up in a rural community in Northeast Arkansas called Weiner (I’ve heard all the jokes!). Residents there regularly organize to help one another, and I think my sense of “community” as “helping people” at a very local level was cultivated there. Also, having a strong sense of justice from an early age, I nearly always favor the underdog.

Professionally, I’ve been a teacher, a law student, a full-time mom, a nurse, and a financial associate. That they are all helping professions is the common thread.

I am so grateful and excited to have ended up at Thrivent Financial. Thrivent is a membership organization of Christians that helps members be wise with money so they can be generous, benefitting families and communities; we say we “help people do well so they can turn around and do good.”

Outside of work, I am active in Womenade NWA, a women’s giving circle focused primarily on helping local women and children. I am also church council president of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fayetteville.

What has been the public’s response to LFP?

Humbling in a way that rekindles my faith and hope for a more neighborly and caring world! I posted the project to Facebook last Thursday.

In five days my page posts have reached 459,351 people, and the first fully stocked pantry photo has been shared almost 3000 times. Though the occasional skeptic presents—“That’ll be vandalized,” or “Someone who doesn’t need it will take it all,”—the overwhelming majority is not just supportive but moved to action by the concept.

Public response to the LFP supports the idea that just as people need food to thrive, people need to serve. The Little Free Pantry is a physical meeting place for both these needs.

CLICK HERE to visit The Little Pantry Facebook page and keep up with all the good news.