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Project One: Little Free Pantry
A small, publicly accessible pantry where anyone can take what they need and leave what they can. Open 24/7, it provides food and essential items without barriers or stigma, making support available whenever it's needed.
Finding a location
Reach out to organizations like community centers, mutual aid groups, volunteer organizations, local businesses, or faith communities to host your pantry.
Send an email explaining what the pantry does and indicate that you will maintain and install it.
You will receive a lot of no's and no responses but one yes is all you need to start building! I was very fortunate to get an excited response from the Salvation Army.
Impact
My pantry quickly became a community resource, providing free food and essential items while bringing neighbors together through everyday acts of generosity. It was later featured by two local news sources, hoping to inspire others to start similar projects in their own communities.
Waltham Times
Salvation Army
Builder's Manual
Materials
4×8 ft plywood, 2×4 ft plywood, corrugate metal, plexiglass, 3/4×2 in pine board, 4 hinges, 2 knobs, brad nails, rubber washers, 4×4 pressure-treated post, 2×10×3 ft pressure-treated board, 3 in exterior screws, 2 in exterior screws, exterior wood glue, concrete
Tools
Circular saw or table saw, drill, tin snips, measuring tape, pencil, level, clamps, paintbrush, sandpaper, safety glasses, and gloves.
Steps:
1. Decide the final dimensions of your pantry. A good basic size is about 24 inches wide, 24 inches tall, and 12–16 inches deep.
2. Cut the plywood pieces. use the 4×8 plywood to cut the main box pieces: back panel, two side panel, bottom panel, top panel interior shelf
3. Build the main box. Attach the side panels to the back panel using wood glue and 2 inch exterior screws. Place screws around 8-12 inches along the edges. then attach the bottom and top panels.
4. Add the roof. Cut two slanted pieces or a flat overhanging roof from plywood. attach it to the top of the pantry. Using tin snips, cut corrugate metal to match roofing pieces. Attach using outdoor hex-screws and rubber washers.
5. Create two front doors using plywood frames and plexiglass centers. use your table saw to create a 1/4 of an inch groove in the frame to attach your plexiglass. Then attach the doors to the pantry using the 4 hinges. Add knobs.
6. Add trim and support. Use the 3/4×2 inch pine board as trim around the edges, doors, or roof. Attach with brad nails every 8-12 inches.
7. Sand any rough edges. Paint the pantry with outdoor paint or weatherproof sealant.
8. Install the post. Dig a hole about 2 feet deep where you want the pantry to stand. Place the 4×4 pressure-treated post into the hole. Use a level to make sure it is straight. Pour concrete around the post and let it fully cure.
9. Mount the pantry. Attach the pantry box to the post using the 2×10×3 ft pressure-treated board as a support brace or mounting platform. Use 3 inch exterior screws for strength.
10. Make sure the pantry is stable, the doors open easily, and the roof is secure. Ddd a sign with instructions like: Take what you need. Leave what you can.
11. Stock the pantry with nonperishable items such as canned food, pasta, rice, snacks, toiletries, menstrual products, and bottled water.
Project by: Noelle Lee
If you have any questions reach out to noellelee23.17@gmail.com!
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