What is a Little Free Pantry (LFP)? 
The Little Free Pantry is a way for neighbors to help neighbors.
The St. Matthias' LFP is part of our continuing efforts to positively change and impact our Northwoods community! It was born out of a meeting of the St. Francis Project Team as an extension of, and complement to, our established community outreach projects:   Caritas  – an urgent need program run out of our church with volunteers and support from other area churches, the Personal Products Pantry, and the St. Matthias Thrift Shop.  It is our intention to offer the Little Free Panty as a readily accessible resource to the Minocqua community. 

Based on the principle, “Take what you need, share what you can,” the St. Matthias LFP will be stocked with small food items, personal and paper products, and cleaning supplies.  Our community has many homes that are food insecure.  The LFP will strengthen community bonds through neighbor helping neighbor – those that can will be encouraged to give – those that need will have an additional resource to consider when immediate need arises.  “Small acts, when multiplied by millions, can change the world.” (Howard Zinn). 

Who is the LFP for?
The LFP is most often for those who are not easily able to meet everyday food and personal needs, but the LFP can also stock after-school snacks for neighborhood kids or that extra ingredient you never have when you need it. The LFP is user-defined!

What else should I know about the Little Free Pantry?
  • The LFP is small, so it cannot stock large quantities of food or personal products. For this reason, it cannot really be relied on for meeting pervasive need.
  • Anyone may access the LFP at any time, anonymously. It is never locked and, hopefully, rarely empty.
  • Food pantries are critical in addressing food insecurity. But sometimes people can’t get there in time. The LFP is a safety net.

I’d like to contribute! What should I bring to stock the LFP?
Keep in mind the weather: If it will be well below freezing, consider what might be ruined by being frozen. Here are a few ideas. (here is a LINK for the full shopping list)
  • Canned vegetables and proteins (but not in freezing temperatures - The liquid inside canned goods expands when frozen, causing cans to crack or burst.)
  • Dried or boxed foods, cereals, pasta mixes, protein bars…
  • Personal care items
  • Baby items
  • Paper goods
  • Kid-friendly stuff!
Please do NOT put the following in the LFP:
  • Sharp items such as razors
  • Chemicals
  • Previously worn clothing
  • Anything expired or out of date
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Anything illegal

Who’s in charge of the LFP at St. Matthias?
If you have questions or concerns about our LFP, or if you want to help out by checking and rotating stock, call the office for more information, or contact Pat Billimack (St. Francis Project Chair), Chris Clark or Claire Martin.