Photo Copyright Compassion Clallam County

The Little Free Pantries is a project of Compassion Clallam County, with support from WSU Clallam County Extension, to build community through compassion by providing for our neighbors and fighting food insecurity in Clallam County. Based on the popular Little Free Libraries project, Little Free Pantries have been popping up across the country as a 24/7 miniature food pantry that anyone can access at any time without barriers. Using the ‘give what you can, take what you need’ model, neighbors and donors keep the pantry stocked with non-perishable food items (and often toiletries or small clothing items as well). Once they’re established and people are familiar with them, Little Free Pantries can help fill the hunger gap that many people in our communities struggle with.

On March 14, from 10am to 2pm, Compassion Clallam and WSU Clallam County Extension are partnering with the Port Angeles Farmers Market to host a fun event dedicated to building and painting three new Little Free Pantries! These pantries will be donated to community partners in Port Angeles and Forks who have committed to hosting and managing them. Please join us, and bring your friends and families, to help out however you’d like with the construction and decoration – all materials and tools will be provided, and experienced carpenters will be on-site offering instruction! The event is also an opportunity to gather food donations to put in the pantries, if you are interested in donating! Please see the list below of recommended items.

A special thanks to: community members of Compassion Clallam County for donating materials and time to create this event, to the Port Angeles Farmers Market for partnering and hosting the Builders’ Day, and to Hartnagel Building Supply for their generous donation of lumber and construction supplies!

Recommended items for donation to the Little Free Pantries are:
– peanut butter
– ramen noodles
– canned soups, fruits and veggies (look for pop-tab tops for easy opening)
– dried fruit
– pasta and mac n’ cheese
– canned tuna
– bags of rice, dried beans and other grains
– oatmeal
– granola and snack bars
– bottled water