Manchester, South Windsor among those with new free pantries

A Manchester-based business group recently added to the “Little Free Pantry” movement, amid an increase in need for food donations across the state.

The grassroots Little Free Pantry movement began in Arkansas in 2016 as a wooden box on a post filled with food, toiletries, and other non-perishable items available to anyone in need. The concept expanded to a network of more than 2,300 pantries across the country. A website dedicated to the movement maintains an active map of pantry locations that includes more than 60 in Connecticut.

The Tri-County Alliance of Realtors opened its own stocked pantry at its headquarters on East Center Street in Manchester last month.

Audrey Angelo, an association executive, said a volunteer committee of alliance members donated money, services, and materials to the project to help address food insecurity in Manchester.

“The committee wanted to be able to serve the local community at our office location in some fashion, and the Little Free Pantry idea was born,” Angelo said.

Mark Cabot of the greater Hartford area charity, Hartford Bags of Love, said that South Windsor-based organization raised money and gathered permission from property owners during the COVID-19 pandemic to install more than 30 pantries, including some in East Windsor, Manchester, South Windsor, and Vernon.

Cabot said the pantries are hands-off and generally not monitored by the charity. Instead, they’re regularly stocked and maintained by neighbors who believe in the mission.

“They don’t belong to Bags of Love, they belong to the community,” Cabot said, adding that families have “adopted” each pantry as their own.

Beth Stafford, director of the Manchester Area Conference of Churches — a nonprofit that provides multiple programs for people in need, including a food pantry — said the lack of monitoring is a concern.

Stafford said tampered, expired, or recalled food couldn’t be traced back to a source, and extreme heat or cold could also spoil some items.

Still, Stafford said the pantries reflect a desire for people to help in a hands-on way, and the organization would never discourage them.

“We don’t consider ourselves the charity police,” Stafford said.

Angelo said the Tri-County Alliance’s pantry has had both givers and receivers from the community since it opened, and the agency plans to keep it stocked for the future.

The unseen benefit of the little pantry movement is that each location provides judgment-free, 24/7 access to those in need who can’t, or because they may be ashamed of their financial circumstances, wouldn’t visit a standard food pantry, Cabot said.

Time is also a factor.

“For some people, if they’re working a couple jobs where they’re only available in the evenings, they can’t get to a food bank because they’re not open” at all hours, Cabot added.

And the need is evident.

Feeding America reports that 380,310 Connecticut residents, or 10.5% of the state’s population, were food insecure in 2021. Hartford County reported the largest food secure population at 95,800, followed by New Haven County at 94,880 and Fairfield County at 90,860.

State numbers also point to a growing need. Enrollment in the state’s Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, or SNAP, was higher at the beginning of 2023 than 2022. Data from the state Department of Social Services listed 373,668 state residents receiving food assistance through the program in January 2022, followed by a steady monthly increase to 392,489 in January 2023.

Cabot said the pandemic magnified food security issues for many, but also helped shine a light on the problem, bringing more awareness and support.

“I’m glad to see that the community is still stepping up to support those in need,” Cabot said of the success the program has seen in its few short years.

Angelo said the Tri-County Alliance also holds an annual “Fill the Freezer” walk in September to help support the Manchester Area Conference of Churches — an area nonprofit that provides multiple programs for people in need including a food pantry — and holds fundraisers throughout the year for that charity.

Cabot said the need for food donations spikes near the end of each month, when state assistance runs low, and during the summer months.

“These kids, who are now able to get a free breakfast and lunch, what can they do when school’s out for the summer?” Cabot said.

Shannon Baldassario, assistant executive director of MACC, said the organization has tried to step up its social media presence to remind people about donations outside of the major holidays.

Cabot said as needs increase this summer, he challenges grocery shoppers who may not ordinarily donate to set aside non-perishable items they get for free or at a discount through promotions to the little food pantries.

“A few extra items a week can make a big difference,” Cabot said.

Baldassario said those looking to give back are welcome to volunteer with MACC, with opportunities for families and children to get involved.