Little Free Food Pantries- Springdale, AR

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Little Free Food Pantries

Rationale:
Too many residents of Springdale struggle with food insecurity.

Project Summary:  

For nearly 25 years, the Springdale Chamber of Commerce has facilitated a program called Leadership Springdale. The purpose of the program is to educate up-and-coming community leaders on what Springdale has to offer and to encourage networking.    

Each class is required to perform a project that has a sustaining impact on Springdale. The 2016-2017 class chose to tackle the issue of food insecurity. Inspired by Little Free Libraries (small structures built to house a small collection of books that anyone passing by can take or leave one for others), the group raised enough money to build and set up little free food pantries around Springdale.    

This large undertaking required support from the City, local businesses, and donated time and resources. Eventually, five pantries were installed, including one in front of City Hall, another near the local community center, and a third at the Springdale Housing Authority.     

The leadership team spent the first six months working to keep them stocked, and now the community has taken over. The real impact of this project was felt at the Housing Authority. Tenants at the Housing Authority are low-income and/or disabled, and often require additional assistance. The Housing Authority has taken over the stocking of the pantry and they work to keep it filled for their residents. This project has been sustainable because of the participation from the community.     

Additional Resources:
Little Free Pantries Website
Springdale, AR– 2018 AAC Winner: Presentation
Local Contact:
Jacob McConnell
Leadership Springdale Class XXII President 
228-E South 40th Street
Springdale, AR 72762
(479) 751-0020 
Jacob.mcconnell@weschecompany.com