July 10, 2020
In July of 2018, Girl Scout Troop 6899 used a grant from Community Forklift’s Community Building Blocks program to create a food pantry near the entrance to the St. Jerome Catholic Church parking lot at 5205 43rd Ave. in Hyattsville, MD.
Using a Community Forklift cabinet and building supplies, the Troop created The Blessing Box, a Little Free Pantry concept. A Little Free Pantry uses the familiar idea of a Little Free Library and works to battle against local food insecurity. It offers a place where neighbors can come together to meet neighborhood needs, whether food or other household necessities.
After their annual fundraiser was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Girl Scout Troop needs the help of friends, neighbors, and local businesses to keep it stocked, as the demand far outpaces their ability to keep it full.
SUGGESTED SHOPPING LIST
The Troop asks for non-perishable canned vegetables and proteins, beans, rice, pasta, personal care items, and paper goods (non-food items go in the bottom of the Blessing Box). They also like to include kid-friendly school supplies at the end of August, too!
BLESSING BOX RULES
Thanks to all that have supported the pantry these last two years! Please reach out to the troop leader at dinacolin@netzero.net with any questions or contribution inquiries.
Every time you donate or shop at Community Forklift, you’re helping us lift up local communities through reuse. We turn the construction waste stream into a resource stream for communities in the DC region – by keeping perfectly good items out of the landfill, preserving historical materials, providing low-cost building supplies, and creating local green jobs.