When you think of your local library and what it has to offer, you may think of simply borrowing books or using a study room to read or work quietly. What you might not realize is that library resources go beyond books and shared spaces; we are a hub for community tools and mutual aid all year long. Our goal is to share things that community members may need through collections, donations, and free resources, always made readily available to patrons and visitors of the library.
Mutual aid is the process of voluntarily offering resources, skills, tips, and items that other individuals are in need of. It’s a community effort – and requires that we know what people need and how to get it to them.
Our library partners with local organizations to host critical giving opportunities such as blood drives, food collections, and more to build resources for community members. We also host swap events throughout the year for puzzles, formalwear, crafts, costumes, and toys to aid the community in moving no-longer-needed items to those who can put them to use. As a library, our role is to provide the space to hold these events and invite others to take part. As residents, your role lies in the sharing you do by donating, showing up, and spreading the word.
We’re pleased to introduce you to our newest mutual aid endeavor in the form of a Little Free Pantry, which will be located right outside the library beginning later this month. Similar to a Little Free Library, the Little Free Pantry will be a resource to community members in need of nonperishable food items. Beginning this week, we’d like to invite our patrons to begin donating to this new, small but mighty resource. In the future, we will be working with local groups to adopt the pantry for about a month at a time, keeping it stocked and refreshed regularly.
“I believe the library should be a public commons where all different kinds of community needs are met — the need for books and information, certainly, but also the need for belonging, for fun, and now, even for food,” shared Lily Wiest, one of our Adult Services Librarians. “I’m very proud to work for a library that recognizes gaps in our community infrastructure and works to fill those needs however we can.”
The world is a little brighter when we share with others, especially our neighbors. We’re so excited
to bring this new resource to you, and to continue promoting sharing in our community.
We are currently collecting donations in our lobby for the following items to fill our pantry:
- Applesauce cups
- Pop-top fruits
- Bean cans
- Tuna or chicken packets
- Nut butter jars/cups
- Protein-rich soups
- Pasta boxes/Mac and cheese
- Rice
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Where is the Little Free Pantry located?
The Little Free Pantry can be found near the entrance of the library in front of our Accessibility Ramp.
How do I donate to the pantry?
You may donate to the pantry by leaving items directly in the pantry, or by placing your donations in the wood collection bin just inside the library.
For more information about how to donate or if your organization would like to sponsor the pantry, please reach out to our Community Relations Specialist, Heather Pacheco, at hpacheco@plymouthlibrary.org.
What types of donations are you accepting?
Desired donations include protein-rich items like tuna/chicken packets, canned beans, nut butter jars/cups, and protein-rich soups, as well as fruit cans/cups, canned veggies, and pasta/rice mixes. Please no expired food items. Canned goods with pull-tab lids are especially appreciated.
Why does the pantry belong at the library?
One of our key values here at the library is connecting our visitors, patrons, and neighbors with the resources and tools that they need. We believe in sharing and supporting one another through mutual aid efforts that go beyond books and shared spaces.
The goal of this particular resource is to share tangible support for community members in need by removing barriers to accessing healthy food. The pantry is driven by community collections and donations, urging neighbors to share with one another to continue to keep the pantry full and available throughout every season.
How can I explain this to my kids?
Economic insecurity can feel like a difficult topic to address with young kids, but there are a lot of ways to help them understand why our community offers this resource. Our youth librarians put together this thoughtful book list about tender topics, such as homelessness, for you to help teach your child about needs and caring for their neighbors.
The list includes several picture books that discuss how communities work together to provide access to food and shelter. For more recommendations and resources, please feel free to ask our librarians, who will gladly put a book list together for you.
What is the box next to the Little Free Pantry?
Next to our Little Free Pantry is a Well Wayne Narcan station, which includes access to lifesaving supplies to help prevent and reduce overdose deaths. This box is entirely supported by a collaboration between the Wayne County Health Department and Wayne State University. For more information, please visit https://endoverdosewayne.org/.