St. George’s Opens Little Free Pantry

Press Release

St. George’s Episcopal Church in Sanford is happy to announce the installation of our Little Free Pantry!

Little more than two years since its conception at a Vestry meeting, our Little Free Pantry is in the ground and open for business. Rev. Lauren and Jacob installed the pantry on a rainy Thursday morning, after church on Sunday folks gathered to bless the pantry and this new ministry, then we filled it! Already these first few days we’ve seen items come and go.

Our pantry was built by Angel Valle, who passed away last fall and did not get to see the pantry in action. When he finished building it he told Rev. Lauren, “Once it’s in place I want to add, ‘In loving memory of Marie Bean.'” To fulfill his wishes and honor him as well the pantry will bear a sign that says, “In loving memory of Marie Bean and Angel Valle.”

More details about the Little Free Pantry:

Inspired by the Little Free Library, the mini pantry movement activates neighbor engagement with food insecurity. According to the Maine Hunger Initiative in Portland, food insecurity affects 16.4% of households in Maine, which ranks 6th in the nation, and 1st in New England, for very low food security (“hunger”).

Food pantries and community meals play a crucial role in meeting hunger needs. St. George’s is proud to join the Little Free Pantry movement with a pantry open 24/7/365. How does it work? Take what you need; leave what you can. That’s it. If you are in need, stop by and see what’s in the pantry. If you have extra, or buy a few duplicates in your regular grocery shopping, stop by and place them in the pantry. Good products for the pantry are shelf stable foods and hygiene/personal care items. Visit our website for a sample list: stgeorgesanford.org/little-free-pantry.

Visit the Little Free Pantry website for more info, mapped locations of LFPs, and instructions for how to create your own: https://www.littlefreepantry.org.