Tiny pantry in Zachary park takes baby food, diapers and period products to help families

Trinity Velazquez
·1 min read

ZACHARY, La. (BRPROUD) – A tiny pantry in the City of Zachary is open to help anyone who needs emergency food and other essential items such as feminine hygiene products or baby items.

A Little Free Pantry was placed in HugYourPeople Community Park on March 20. Sharon Phillips, the public information officer for the City of Zachary, said Dave Co Plumbing, a sponsor, placed it.

The pantry is a small wooden box on a post that contains food, personal care items such as toothbrushes and paper items. It’s accessible to anyone.

Donations that can be made to the small box include:

  • Non-perishable items such as canned low-sodium vegetables or fruit.

  • Rice, oats, grits or whole wheat pasta.

  • Nuts.

  • Cereal.

  • Popcorn.

  • “Just add water” baking mixes (muffins, pancakes or cornbread).

  • Water.

  • Non-fat powdered or shelf-stable milk.

Hygiene items such as bandages, hand soap, toilet paper and plastic cooking utensils also can be donated. Diapers, toddler snacks, formula and other baby items will be accepted as well.

Partners needed for Summer Food Service Program in Louisiana

Ashleigh McHugh, the director of Economic Development for The City of Zachary, said the pantry is available 24/7 and the city can help monitor it.

Phillips said the initiative is also known as a “blessing box.”

Cherie and David Hardin with Dave Co Plumbing said they partnered with the LSU AgCenter and Little Free Pantries of Louisiana because they were excited to give back.

The city sponsors one, and McHugh said Dave Co Plumbing also sponsors pantries in St. Francisville and Central.

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