One of the things I’d like to include in thr community garden I’m working on establishing is a food pantry. I’d love to have a place with recycled containers to take home garden goodies, residents to leave extra dry goods, and things like care products/toiletries. I’ve seen pictures of them online and read articles about them but the closest thing we have here is honesty boxes.
Has anyone made one or used one? Do you have any tips? I’d love to hear some recommendations on practical designs work best or what products you wish yours had more/less of.
- HeapOfDogs ( @HeapOfDogs@beehaw.org ) 5•1 year ago
Around where I live there are a lot of those “little libraries”. They are like a big mailbox full of books people can borrow. During the pandemic I started to notice canned goods and toiletries appearing in them. I’m not sure that’s exactly what you are asking, but it seemed close.
Yeaah it sounds like it’s ended up as the same kind of thing. I’ve heard the book ones are tricky as it’s hard to get a popular range that doesn’t fade into less popular, stagnant books.
Were people using the food? How was the range?
- HeapOfDogs ( @HeapOfDogs@beehaw.org ) 3•1 year ago
Since the space was small, range was very limited. Think like 4-5 cans of food, small amount of toiletries. A pair of socks. Things like that. I did notice the items changed over time so I assume they were being used.
My assumption was always they were meant to help someone through a meal or two. Not food for a week.
Keep in mind these are all assumptions from observations!