A couple weeks ago, I wrote about the Little Free Library (LFL) organization and how much I love being a steward for an LFL outside my synagogue. I also shared that a couple years after installing the library, I also installed a Little Free Pantry next to it. Both sharing boxes follow the same model of taking what you need and giving what you can. I had received the pantry for free through a program of the Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando. This was during the pandemic when kids weren’t necessarily in school to receive free breakfast or lunch and families were struggling. The pantry gets used often, which makes me feel both happy and heartbroken. I am glad we’re filling a need, of course, but it’s hard to know that the small pantry can’t feed everyone. Fortunately, my rabbi and his family have offered to cover the costs of installing another pantry box so that we can provide more food to the community. I have been searching for just the right weather-proof cabinet to withstand the Florida sun and rain.
Serendipitously, a community member messaged me through our synagogue Facebook page to ask if we could add a second pantry box so that she can leave more food. How beautiful is that? Within a few days of sending that message, the woman then let me know that she had acquired wood for free from a cabinet company that didn’t need it. Her neighbor is a carpenter and offered to build the pantry box for us! What a perfect example of the power of community. Hopefully I will post again soon with pictures of the pantry addition.
Emily Raij 