Little Free Pantries project receives several donations

“I want to help people who are homeless, low on food or having a tough time in Garrett County,” he said when he first got started.

Hanline’s mother, Heather Hanline, explained that Woodmen Life and Woodmen Life Oakland Chapter had included the pantries as one of their Community Impact Projects back in December of 2020.

“They were very happy with the impact that they have on the community,” she said. “They contacted me a few weeks ago to invite Alex to attend their regional meeting at Rocky Gap on Sept. 24 and stated that they had over $1,000 worth of food to donate as a regional group. “

At the meeting, the Oakland Chapter also provided a $100 gift card and $100 gas card. The Grantsville Chapter also recently took up a food collection to donate.

“We’ve restocked two of the pantries and will refill the others later this week, with plenty to do a few more restocks after that,” Hanline said. “Thank you so much, Woodmen Life!”

She noted that Woodmen Life is a non-profit life insurance company that puts money back into the communities it serves.

Hanline stated that what makes Little Free Pantries successful is when the whole community gets involved in keeping items stocked. Anyone can put items in anytime, as long as they are unexpired and not perishable.

“We can’t keep up with them on our own, and for them to be sustainable, it takes the whole community,” she said. “Even contributing a few items a month helps.”

Hanline noted that it is helpful to give items that are hearty and could make a meal, like canned tuna with a box of Tuna Helper, spaghetti sauce and noodles, peanut butter and jelly, soups, canned chicken, canned vegetables, etc.

Pantries are located at Crellin Elementary, Oakland City Hall, Friendsville Town Hall and McHenry Lion’s Club Park, and are accessible 24/7 to anyone who needs a little help or would like to donate.

For updates on the project, follow Little Free Pantries of Garrett County on Facebook.