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Grant helps Rotary continue its Little Food Pantry program

The Rotary Club of Gig Harbor Midday’s Little Food Pantry Project embarks on its fourth year providing emergency food, thanks in part to a matching grant from Rotary International District 5020.

Community Sponsor

Community stories are made possible in part by Peninsula Light Co, a proud sponsor of Gig Harbor Now.

The grant provided $3,000 to purchase food to supplement donation and fundraising efforts. Beginning early 2021 with just two pantries, the project has grown to encompass six locations in Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula.

Responding to the widespread issue of food insecurity exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, Little Food Pantries have become integral in addressing hunger within communities. These pantries, operating 24/7 with zero barriers to access, supplement existing food bank services and partner with local agencies and communities to fill gaps in the food system.

“We have 14 dedicated Rotarians and a handful of community partners who build, repair and stock these pantries several times a week; year-round and in all weather. Many of our stewards started at the beginning and are still going strong. It is truly a labor of love,” Midday President, Jill Dabbs said.

The success stories of the Little Food Pantry project are numerous, such as Cheri Johnson’s encounter with a mother and her children outside a closed food bank. Johnson directed them to a nearby pantry the club recently installed. These pantries provide a vital resource, ensuring more individuals have access to emergency food supplies and hygiene products 24/7.

A fully stocked Little Food Pantry, just after it was installed on April 29, 2022, at Peninsula Life Church in Purdy. Vince Dice

How it works

Midday club members participate in a variety of ways, donating food at weekly meetings, running an annual community food drive, volunteering to pick up donations, attending “packing parties,” filling in as substitutes, and sharing the news about the project with the community.

Some business members have “sponsored” pantries by purchasing an encouraging sign. Other members are part of the maintenance crew. Recently, the Rotary Club of Gig Harbor, “aka The Morning Club,” has joined the effort by contributing food and funds as well.

Operating on the principle of “Take What You Need, Bring What You Can,” these pantries rely on community contributions and the dedication of Rotarian stewards who ensure regular restocking and upkeep. The club’s commitment to this cause is evident in their ongoing efforts to expand the project, making a tangible difference in the fight against food insecurity in their community, one pantry at a time.

For information or to participate, contact Cheri Johnson, membership chair, at [email protected]; or Jill Dabbs, president and pantry coordinator, at [email protected].