Boy inspires neighborhood to fight hunger with Little Free Pantry

It started with an idea from her son.

He came home one day, lamenting that some classmates didn’t have enough to eat.

So, Cassie Woodward did what moms do. With the help from others in the Washburn Neighborhood Association, they decided to take action, figuring kids in their area faced the same predicament.

They set up the Washburn Little Free Pantry outside Lincoln Middle School, where people can drop off food and other items and take what they need.

“Much like the Little Free Libraries,” Woodward said but instead of exchanging books this one, of course, exchanges food and personal care items. “The model for the pantry is ‘Take what you need, give what you can.’

“So, it’s very free will.”

It’s also anonymous, which helps those who want to keep private their living situation.

Woodward says they’ve gotten great support so far.

What they’re looking for to go into the pantry include boxed meals and personal care items.