Girl Scouts’ Efforts Lead to Free Little Pantry at Berkley First UMC
(Judy Lowery, Jan. 17, 2021)
Located on Twelve Mile Road in front of Berkley First: A United Methodist Church in Berkley, Michigan, stands a wooden box on a pole… the “Free Little Pantry.” A sign underneath the food pantry reads, “Take what you need; leave what you can.”
The food box was built by a Girl Scout Troop in the community. When the troop approached Pastor Zack Dunlap about putting it outside the church building, he was happy to receive the donation.
According to Pastor Zack, “Since the church leadership is always looking for ways to connect with and bless the community, that was an easy ‘yes.’ In this time of pandemic, the pantry has been an immense blessing – both to those with a need for food assistance, and for those with the desire to give. It is filled and emptied almost every day.”
Other avenues of giving have opened up since receiving the “Little Free Pantry.” A Facebook group was begun in the spring of 2020 to connect local needs and resources specifically during the pandemic. Its creators inquired about using the pantry and nearby picnic tables as a drop-off point. The pastor added that, “More recently, Huntington Woods Youth Assistance and the American Legion have donated food to the pantry, and former Berkley residents who live out-of-state have given online to restock it.”
“Blessings come in and blessings go out – without any need of documentation, paperwork, or proof of need. Right now, another community member is working to build a second pantry that will be placed nearby. Durst Lumber already volunteered to donate the materials. Berkley First is happy to be a hub of community blessings and resources. The Little Free Pantry offers an abundance.”
Learn more about Berkley First at https://www.berkleyfirst.org/.