UUS Little Free Pantry is Looking for a Little Help!

Submitted by Pete Brokaw

Food insecurity is an ongoing problem for many people in Iowa City, Coralville and nearby communities. An article in the Cedar Rapids Gazette recently talked about the struggles their food banks are having keeping up with the demand. Food banks play a huge role in providing food to people who need it and they can offer fresh produce and items that need refrigeration. Even so, there are gaps that still need to be filled. 

That’s where Little Free Pantries (LFP’s) are helping. There are many pantries scattered throughout the area supported by community groups and churches. The UUS LFP started more than 2 years ago and has been very popular from the start. (Our LFP is located by the sidewalk and the labyrinth. Please stop by and check it out–small but mighty!)

We focus on shelf-stable items that do not need refrigeration. Some of the most popular items are canned meat (like tuna and chicken), pasta and tomato products, canned veggies and beans, and peanut butter. Needs change with the seasons and as cooler weather arrives, soup and canned chili are more popular.

There are some small ways that you can help–together we can make a big difference. You can:

• Bring in one or two food items and leave them on the bookcase in the UUS foyer (like pasta, a can of soup, or jar of peanut butter). We have bright green sheets with suggestions available on the bookcase that you can take with you;
• Make a donation to the LFP using Realm or during the weekly collection; We rely on gifts from the congregation to pay for our trips to local grocery stores  
• Make your voice heard–support legislation (and legislators) that help improve food security. Programs for summer lunches and before-school breakfast items have been targeted by the Iowa legislature.

A common theme for Little Free Pantries is “Take What You Need; Leave What You Can.”  If you need help, we hope you will make use of our LFP and if you can leave a small donation, your gifts are greatly appreciated. 

If you want to contact the LFP committee, please send an email to littlefreepantry@uusic.org.