In May 2016, Jessica McClard — a mother in Fayetteville, Arkansas — built a small wooden cabinet and placed it on her church lawn. Within five days, her Facebook posts reached 459,351 people. Two weeks later, a stranger built a second pantry. Three months later, pantries existed coast-to-coast and in five countries. Today there are over 3,000 worldwide. One person, one cabinet, one afternoon. That is all it takes to start feeding your neighborhood.
Little free pantries worldwide and growing
Present in every US state plus UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand
Distributed by one regional network (Northeast Earth Coalition) over 5 years
People reached by Jessica McClard's first Facebook post in just 5 days
Why Build a Little Free Pantry?
Little free pantries are small, freestanding outdoor cabinets stocked with non-perishable food, personal care items, and household essentials. They operate 24/7 on a simple principle: take what you need, leave what you can. No forms, no ID, no questions asked.
Available 24/7 — not limited by business hours, staffing, or appointments
No ID, income check, or registration required — just take what you need
Stocked and maintained by the community, for the community
Build one for as little as $0-75 using repurposed materials or free plans
“Take what you need, leave what you can.”
Best Items to Collect
Canned Goods (pull-top lids preferred)
- +Canned soup
- +Canned vegetables and fruit (in juice, not syrup)
- +Canned proteins — tuna, chicken, salmon
- +Canned beans — black, pinto, garbanzo
Pantry Staples
- +Peanut butter (the #1 most requested item at food banks)
- +Pasta and pasta sauce
- +Rice and oatmeal
- +Granola bars and snack bars
- +Shelf-stable milk (boxed/UHT)
- +Ready-to-make meal kits
Personal Care & Hygiene
- +Menstrual products
- +Diapers (all sizes — always in demand)
- +Toothbrush and toothpaste
- +Soap, shampoo, and deodorant
- +Laundry detergent pods
Culturally Diverse Foods
- +Jasmine rice
- +Coconut milk
- +Masa harina
- +Dried lentils and chickpeas
- +Spices and seasonings
What to Avoid
What You Will Need
Essential and recommended items to get started.
Pantry Cabinet
A weatherproof cabinet to hold food and essentials — built, bought, or repurposed.
- Build from 3/4" exterior plywood with cedar trim and plexiglass door window
- Or repurpose: old kitchen cabinet, newspaper vending box, medicine cabinet, or filing cabinet
- Or buy pre-made from Etsy or a local woodworker ($100-300+)
- Needs a door or lid with latch to protect contents from weather and pests
- Common size: approximately 2×2×3 feet
Host Location
A visible, accessible spot where neighbors will see it and feel comfortable using it.
- Front yard near sidewalk, church property, or community center
- Near schools, bus stops, or high foot-traffic areas
- Written permission from property owner required
- No permit usually needed on private property — check local zoning to be sure
- Visibility drives both usage and restocking by neighbors
Pantry Steward(s)
At least 1-2 people committed to regularly checking and restocking the pantry.
- Check every 1-2 days (15-30 minutes per visit)
- Remove expired or damaged items promptly
- Wipe shelves weekly with soapy water; monthly deep clean with diluted bleach
- Re-stain or repaint annually; check post stability each season
- Pest prevention: bay leaves for moths, peppermint oil cotton balls for rodents, seal all gaps
Clear Signage
Signs that explain the pantry's purpose, what to stock, and how to participate.
- "Take What You Need, Leave What You Can" — the universal pantry message
- Brief explanation for newcomers who have never seen one
- List of accepted and not-accepted items
- Contact info for the steward
- Multilingual signs for your neighborhood — LittleFreePantry.org provides downloadable templates
Weatherproofing
Protect food from rain, heat, freezing, and pests to extend pantry life.
- Sealed door with a simple latch to keep it closed
- Elevated off the ground on a 4x4 post (2 ft underground, 3 ft above)
- Small overhang or shingled roof to deflect rain
- Exterior paint or sealant on all surfaces
- Monitor in extreme temperatures — cans burst below 30°F and swell above 100°F
Community Outreach
Spread the word so neighbors know the pantry exists and how to contribute.
- Post on Nextdoor — the single most effective platform for neighborhood pantries
- Create a Facebook group or Instagram page to coordinate restocking
- Share on local Buy Nothing groups
- Put flyers at libraries, laundromats, and coffee shops
- Pitch the story to your local newspaper — journalists love this story
- Host a "stocking party" launch event to build momentum
Cost Breakdown
The cheapest approach is repurposing an old kitchen cabinet, newspaper vending box, medicine cabinet, or filing cabinet with weatherproof paint. Habitat for Humanity ReStores are a great source for cheap cabinets. The movement embraces creativity — there is no required design.
How to Get Started
Follow these steps to bring your project to life.
Choose Your Approach
There is no required design — the movement embraces creativity. Decide whether to build, repurpose, or buy.
Find the Right Location
Pick a spot that is visible, accessible, and has the property owner's written permission.
Build, Repurpose, or Buy
Construct or acquire your pantry cabinet using whichever approach fits your budget and skills.
Install Your Pantry
Mount your pantry securely at the chosen location. Call 811 before you dig.
Stock It Up
Fill the pantry with non-perishable food, personal care items, and household essentials.
Maintain and Grow
Keep your pantry stocked, clean, and connected to the community for long-term success.
Organizations That Can Help
Where to Register
Tips & Best Practices
Start Small and Simple
A simple, well-maintained pantry is far better than an elaborate one that falls into disrepair. You can always upgrade later.
Pull-Top Cans Only
Not everyone has a can opener. Stock cans with pull-top lids whenever possible — it makes a real difference for people in need.
Create a Social Media Page
A Facebook group or Instagram page helps coordinate restocking, recruit helpers, share what items are needed, and build a sense of community ownership.
Include Non-Food Items
Hygiene products, menstrual supplies, diapers, pet food, and school supplies are not covered by SNAP/food stamps — making them critically needed.
Multilingual Signage
Translate signs into languages spoken in your neighborhood. LittleFreePantry.org provides downloadable templates in multiple languages.
Pest Prevention
Place bay leaves inside for moths and peppermint oil cotton balls for rodents. Seal all gaps in the cabinet. Check regularly for signs of pests.
Seasonal Awareness
Canned goods can freeze and burst below 30°F or swell above 100°F. Monitor your pantry in extreme weather and adjust stock accordingly.
Host a Stocking Party
Launch your pantry with a neighborhood stocking party — it builds excitement, spreads the word, and fills the shelves on day one.
Important Considerations
Time Commitment
Expect 15-30 minutes every 1-2 days for checking, cleaning, and restocking. Initial setup (building and installing) takes a weekend or less. The ongoing commitment is modest but consistent — recruit a backup steward so you can take breaks.
Costs
Building from scratch costs $75-185. Repurposing an old cabinet can cost $0-50. Pre-made options run $100-300+. Ongoing restocking is often offset by neighbor contributions and local business donations once the pantry is established and visible.
Legal & Safety
No permit is usually needed on private property with owner permission. The Bill Emerson Good Samaritan Food Donation Act protects food donors from liability. HOA rules may restrict structures but generally cannot override city or state law. In the Kathy Hay case (Washington state), a federal lawsuit successfully defended the right to operate a pantry.
Community Buy-In
Tell your neighbors before installing — most are enthusiastic. Post on Nextdoor, local Facebook groups, and community bulletin boards. Advance communication prevents surprises and turns neighbors into contributors.
Durability
Outdoor cabinets take a beating from weather. Use exterior-grade materials, seal all surfaces, and plan to repaint or re-stain annually. Check post stability each season, especially after freeze-thaw cycles.
Know Your Local Food Laws
Understanding local regulations helps ensure your initiative's success. We've compiled resources on Good Samaritan laws, cottage food rules, and zoning requirements by state.
Ready to Get Started?
Register your resource on Fresh Food Network so neighbors can find it and volunteers can support it.