12 Thursday, August 22, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
$$$$$$$$$$
$
200 -
$
10,
I BUY All Cars & Trucks
Call Me First! I Pay More!269-223-
SHELLY KEHRLE-SULSER
Executive Editor
While the Little Free Library con-
cept has been around since 2010, the
Little Free Pantry wasn’t far behind.
Now, while there are more than 20
Little Free Libraries, (some of which
are created in the same concept but
have not been licensed to use that
name), Little Free Pantries are just
catching on in Battle Creek.
A similar project went “live” at St.
Thomas Episcopal Church in down-
town Battle Creek in June, said coor-
dinator, Elizabeth Neumeyer.
“Our purpose is not exactly the
same,” said Neumeyer, “as we are
using it to give out free Bibles and
devotionals as well as foods. We
decided to just call ours the ‘St.
Thomas Cupboard.’”
Built by St. Thomas Senior Warden
Frans Schirk along with Ross and
Cathy Dingwall, the small structure
resembling the church complete with
steeple, is posted next to the park-
ing lot where small side doors, fitted
with stained glass windows, provide
access to the Bibles on one side and
non-perishable food such as cereal
packets, dehydrated soups, canned
food and more, all free for the taking,
no questions asked, on the other.
“It makes me nervous in the heat
but stuff goes so fast but when it’s
like 90, we put in this kind of stuff,”
said Neumeyer referring to the above
listed items. “But, it goes pretty
speedy. I refer to this as ‘vaguely’
nutritious.”
Neumeyer said she or other church
volunteers restock the cupboard once
a week.
The Little Free Pantry concept was
the brainchild of Jessica McClard of
Fayetteville, Ark.
McClard is quoted as saying that
people who are falling through the
cracks are most likely to take advan-
tage of the opportunity and include
those who don’t qualify for organized
food pantries.
She reportedly recommends put-
ting them at houses of worship, busi-
nesses, non-profits and schools due to
the increased traffic they can create
The new St. Thomas Cupboard contains non-perishable free food and Bibles
and devotionals for the public at the parking lot of the church located at 16
E. VanBuren Street in downtown Battle Creek. At right is Elizabeth Neumeyer
who helped implement the project. (Shopper News photo by Shelly Kehrle-Sulser)Local church launches ‘St. Thomas Cupboard’ in downtown Battle Creek
and privacy concerns for residential
locations.
The tiny pantries can also provide
an emergency alternative food source
for someone with severe PTSD
which can prevent them from visit-
ing a traditional pantry where the
crowded waiting room can be too
stress inducing.
“This doesn’t solve food insuffi-
ciency,” said Neumeyer. “But, some
people just fall through the cracks.
When we had the breakfast program,
I was surprised by the number of
people who weren’t actually home-
less. They’re on limited incomes,
groceries or prescription drugs,
particularly ones who had children,
would come down for breakfast.”
Though the church not longer hosts
the summer breakfast program, the
SHARE Center serves breakfast and
the church parishioners help out, she
said.
Neumeyere said that once the
St. Thomas Cupboard appeared, it
caught on quickly.
“They figured it out immediately,”she said. “This is empty all the
time.”
Other such roadside or outdoor
little pantries are located at Christ
United Methodist Church on Bedford
Road and at Trinity Neighborhood
Center on Bidwell Street.
In fact, a volunteer organization
led by Toni Ardis called Village of
Helping Hands Making a Difference,
helps to keep all of the little food
pantries stocked, according to
Neumeyer and Jen Rochette of the
Trinity Neighborhood Center.
“Some even stock hygiene prod-
ucts,” said Rochette, “not just food-
but female hygiene products because
EBT and food stamps, don’t help
with that, even though it’s a personal
need.”ATTENTION ALL PHARMACY
TECHNICIANS:
Are you looking for an opportunity to learn new skills and grow in your
profession? Are you seeking fulfillment and meaning in the work you do?
Are you interested in working with a team of like-minded, equally driven, and
caring professionals?Grace Health has an amazing mission to serve the community with high-
quality, comprehensive healthcare services with a strong emphasis on patient
care and accessibility. Our goal is ensuring that our patients can get the
medications they need to live their best lives. We take pride in our friendly,
courteous, and dedicated team of professionals who work together to meet the
diverse needs of our patients.Sign on bonus and compensation based on qualifications and experienceGo to gracehealthmi.org to apply.
Jennifer White
Employee Relations Specialist