Little Free Pantry expands from Eugene to Klamath Falls, supporting and feeding our local community Naomi Saenger, from Eugene, OR, shared her passion for feeding people with YMCAs across the state. After volunteering with other food programs, Saenger was shocked by the overwhelming need for food, "My passion for food accessibility turned into action against food insecurity." In January 2020, The YMCA of Klamath Falls was notified by the Eugene Family YMCA, Naomi's local YMCA, regarding her desire to place a pantry at every Y in the state. Kelly Alvarez-Hernandez, Membership Director at The YMCA of Klamath Falls, commented, 'We fell in love with the idea of helping our community during such an unstable time. With Naomi's vision to feed the hungry, we can provide much-needed food assistance to our community." Today, Little Free Pantries still offers a zero-barrier access point to food to help fill the gaps in the food system. They support neighbors who are facing food insecurity while building communities. If you are a neighbor in need, take what you need. Any items inside are available, no questions asked. They are a zero-barrier access point to food. Little Free Pantry empowers people to make an immediate change in their neighborhood. If you are a neighbor who wants to help, give what you can. Focus giving on items your household uses. Items to stock in a Little Free Pantry: Dry goods: oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, dried beans, rice and other whole grains, pasta, spices, popcorn, coffee, tea, boxed dry soups, sugar, and flour. Individually packaged snacks: boxes of raisins, granola bars, protein bars, fruit snacks, juices Food not requiring kitchen preparation: bread, nuts and seeds, dried fruits, granola, nut butter, cereal, applesauce, and pudding packs. Toiletries: feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, facial tissue, soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant Cleaning supplies: dish soap, laundry detergent, paper towels First aid items: mini first aid kits, bandages, topical antibiotics, anti-itch crème, hand sanitizer If the pantry is full, the community can drop off food donations inside both YMCA locations; YMCA staff will restock as needed. You can find the "Free Little Pantry" at The YMCA of Klamath Fall Fitness & Aquatic Center, 1221 S Alameda Ave, Klamath Falls, OR 97603, and The YMCA of Klamath Falls Child Care Center, 1017 Donald Street, Klamath Falls, OR 97601. For more information, visit kfallsymca.org or call 541-884-4149.
About the Y Driven by its founding mission, the Y has served as a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening the community for more than 175 years. The Y empowers everyone, no matter who they are or where they’re from, by ensuring access to resources, relationships, and opportunities for all to learn, grow and thrive. By bringing together people from different backgrounds, perspectives and generations, the Y’s goal is to improve overall health and well-being, ignite youth empowerment and demonstrate the importance of connections in and across 10,000 communities nationwide. Learn more at kfallsymca.org
