Cold Temps, Government Shutdown: Little Free Pantry Aims To Help

GREENPORT, NY— One woman with a heart of gold is doing her part to help provide food — and hope —during cold winter months, marked by the ongoing partial government shutdown, that has left some hungry.

"I am watching the news and know we can help," Rudder said. "I want people to know that the door to Our Little Free Pantry is always open, 24/7, to anyone, no questions asked, no judgment, ever. Life is sometimes empty as it is for some now during these hard times, especially those affected by the government shutdown. Life is also refillable based on faith and trust in others."

At its ribbon-cutting in May, the shelves, freshly painted and new, of Our Little Free Pantry were stocked to the brim with staples including peanut butter, beans, cereals, applesauce, bandages, crayons, soups — all the nourishing, useful things that so many take for granted, but which, for the needy, can mean everything, and the difference between going to bed hungry.

Since then, the shelves of the free pantry have been kept stocked regularly to help anyone who might need a helping hand, Rudder said.

Rudder, who conceived of the idea, said the pantry is a way for neighbors to help neighbors in need; a suggested donation list of items to stock the pantry is available in English and Spanish.

Where to find the free pantry

This weekend, she echoed her vow and reminded the community that the pantry is located at the Adams St. municipal parking lot, between 1st and Main Street, in Greenport.

"Our Little Free Pantry will do its best to help anyone, anytime, and I will be checking the stock in it diligently. These donations come from all of us, your friends and neighbors and many have been generously collected at the Greenport Farmers' Market. We can get through anything — together."

Hunger knows no demographic boundaries, Rudder has said, offering startling statistics: One in six Caucasian individuals suffers from hunger, one in four Latinos or black individuals often do not have enough to eat, and one in three college students often struggles to stock their cupboards with food.

But the problem, Rudder said, is often cloaked in silence and secrecy, with shame keeping dire circumstances hidden. "The scary thing about hunger is that it's anonymous," she said. The working hungry, she said, scraping together enough for rent, might go home to only a meal of toast for dinner. "If that," Rudder said.

To that end, the pantry is free, and open and available to all, with no judgment, she said.

There is even a cubby for kids, where children can donate items, to help foster an awareness of giving back even at the youngest age.

The backbone of the project, she said, centers on "having deep faith in the goodness of people, building community up around it and watching all the caring interactions of neighbors spring forth. Amazing." Rudder said that she used the word "neighbors" in a global sense. Many of those reaching out, she hasn't even met yet.

Rudder, a Greenport resident, said she had long hoped to create a Little Free Pantry for those in need.

"It's just the neighborly thing to do," Rudder said — a place where those in need can go help themselves to donated essentials. The hope is to "elevate" the traditional list of staples, donating wholesome, healthy foods not packed with sugar; donations should not include expired items, she said.

Rudder said the idea was born because she has a background in food and nutrition and is deeply interested in food justice, food waste, food insecurity — anything community and food related.

Her hope, Rudder said, is to stock the pantry with foods that are "thoughtful and nourishing, delicious and as high quality as possible. Share what you would like to eat. Again, the concept here is 'neighbor to neighbor,'" she said.

Household items such as toilet paper, diapers, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, pet food, and children's items will be accepted. No clothes, no alcohol and nothing sharp is allowed.

Anyone can donate at any time and most all donations are covered by the Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 1996, she said.

"Hunger is a 24 hour resident in every county in the U.S. The majority who are food insecure do not live in poverty. They are in The Gap. Hunger hides itself well, creates shame and embarrassment and has a devastating effect, especially on children and seniors. Well, this Pantry is a beginning — food justice is now being served! It is a safety net, dissolves all boundaries, gives anyone the opportunity to know their neighbors have something for them 24/7, no matter what, no questions asked," she said.

Rudder has messages of hope to share. "The first is I want this project to empower people to be a part of a shared, just community based around food. Food is a very unifying language when you let it be so. Secondly, please, make no assumptions. They will only lead to 'foul-up's,' as my dad used to say. Again, hunger hides itself well. Instead, have understanding. Understanding will lead to compassion and with that, good things happen. The Pantry doors will open and all will ebb and flow naturally. The third is, this is fun."

After all in attendance laid their hands on the pantry during a blessing, Greenport Village Mayor George Hubbard and Rudder cut the ribbon on the pantry, and Rudder kissed the humble wooden box, bestowing upon the project the wish for a journey colored by love and caring for others.

"I hope no one in the village ever goes hungry," Hubbard said.

Patch photo by Lisa Finn.