The Little Free Pantry inside Kaukauna Public Library, April 16, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
KAUKAUNA, WI (WTAQ) — With books to feed your mind and food to feed your belly; the Kaukauna Public Library is looking for help to fill its Little Free Pantry.
The pantry has been in use since 2017. With food prices soaring, they’ve seen an increase in demand and fewer donations.
“We rely entirely on the community,” said library director Ashley Thiem-Menning. “A lot of people love to donate around the holidays as it is the time of giving, but for us the hardest time is when there aren’t major holidays.”
There is no paperwork or any type of application process involved with the Little Free Pantry; any community member is invited to come and simply take what they need.
“Rising food costs are having an affect on families,” said Thiem-Menning. “A handful of people have said that this little bit helps them pay off other bills that they maybe otherwise wouldn’t have been able to pay.”
Canned vegetables are a popular item to donate, but that’s not necessarily what the library is always looking for.
“A source of protein that is shelf-stable so canned chicken, tuna, any kind of canned meat is huge for any food pantry,” said Thiem-Menning. “On top of that, pasta and any kind of grain is very helpful.”
The pantry also includes hygiene products, diapers, baby food and more.
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