When Melissa Pruss heard about a Fayetteville woman's idea to help her community, she knew it would work for Bella Vista. Pruss asked her father to build what became the city's first "Little Free Pantry."
The pantry is actually a wooden box, divided into several sections with a transparent fiberglass door that latches on the side. It stands on a sturdy post set into concrete that fills an old tire.
When Pruss had the completed pantry, she wasn't sure where to put it.
The website of the original Little Free Pantry offers advice on placement: Safety first, the website warns. Be aware of both vehicle traffic and the crime rate in your area. Then consider public property vs. private property and the attitude of neighbors who may be affected.
Pruss was thinking about locations when Naomi Gulledge posted on a Bella Vista Facebook page that she wanted to do a similar project. The pair didn't know each other, but clearly had some things in common. Together they settled on the drive in front of the Artist Retreat Center.
There are already three food trucks located on the drive that is just west of U.S. Highway 71, just south of the rest area. When Pruss and Gulledge contacted property owner Sara Parnell, she was happy to let them set up there. They also checked with the city of Bella Vista, Pruss said, to make sure there were no legal issues.
On a cold weekend, just before Christmas, Pruss enlisted friends Dakota Vandiver and Ryan Haeberle to install the pantry. Then she and Gulledge filled it.
Although the box is water proof, the things in it can freeze, Pruss said, so they were careful about what they put inside. There are some canned goods, but there are also lots of dry food packaged in plastic, like pasta and rice. Tuna in a foil package is better than tuna in a can, Pruss said.
She plans to check on the pantry regularly and remove anything that has been affected by temperature extremes. In the warmer weather months, beverages will probably appear.
"Anyone can put something into it and anyone can take something out," Pruss said. If someone finds themselves needing help, they don't have to show any paperwork or answer any questions. The pantry is for everyone.
The whole community benefits, she explained. Hungry people feel better when they take things out, and people contributing food also get a good feeling.
Gulledge brought her two children along to fill the pantry for the first time. It's a good lesson for them, she explained. It's "open-handed giving," they know there's no expectation of a return other than a good feeling. She lets her children, aged 4 and 6, choose one item each time they go grocery shopping and they keep it ready for a stop at the pantry.
There's more than food in the pantry. When the people at one of the food trucks, The Main Bite, saw what was going on across the way, they brought over hand warmers and a tarp to put inside. They told Gulledge they would keep an eye on the area.
There are also socks and some toiletries and a couple of can openers.
Within a few days Gulledge saw that items had been removed and other items added. She wasn't surprised because when she posted on Facebook about the project, several Bella Vistans commented that they wanted to help.
There are only a few restriction, Pruss said. Because they are guest of the ARC, she hopes everyone will help keep the area clean. Nothing should be left on the ground near the pantry, she said. If it doesn't fit inside, please don't leave it, she asks. Also, food donations should be nonperishable. No fresh fruit or meat.
The pair isn't finished yet. Because the Little Free Pantry was inspired by Little Free Libraries, Pruss asked her father to get back to work and build another box.This one will have two shelves, one for adult literature and one for children's.
Like the pantries, the library will be a community project with everyone free to put books in and take them out whenever they want to. Little Free Libraries have been around since 2009. The website is littlefreelibrary.org.
The website for Little Free Pantries is littlefreepantry.org.
General News on 12/28/2016