My name is Perry, and my cousins and I get to hang out in interesting places all over Hamilton County. We get referred to by a lot of names: food boxes, pantries, yellow boxes, food stations, cupboards, or closets. I prefer pantry – just call me Perry the Pantry.
We have homes at businesses, parks, churches, fairgrounds, and neighborhoods all over the place. We hear that once you see one of us, you see us everywhere. Good! That means we’re being noticed. I’m a Feeding Team pantry, and even though we are just a bunch of big wooden boxes, we love being able to offer a meal or two to hungry neighbors.
I took over the column this month to give folks some thoughts and perspective from my place in the food chain right here in Hamilton County. See what I did there? “Food” chain.
My beginnings were simple: just plain wood, shingles, paint, nails, and screws. I’m nothing fancy; they make me from something called “seconds” bought at the store. I am bright dandelion yellow with a plexiglass face and some pretty cool signs that tell everyone who stops by that they should take what they need and to please give what they can. I don’t really care who takes or donates food, just that there is a place for hungry people to get fed and generous neighbors to help others.
Most of the time, volunteers build, finish, paint, and deliver me. I’m not that tough to build, but I’m sturdy, designed to be outside in the rain, wind, snow, and heat. I hang out at places where folks who might need a few meals can find me easily.
Today, I’m writing to you from 126th Street in Fishers. Please take a second and look at my selfie … some people took everything off my shelves. Yes, everything! They left nothing, zero, nada, zilch.
The Feeding Team cannot succeed in its mission with empty pantries. Please, only take you need and give what you can. (Photo provided by Mark Hall)
Every week I get to see firsthand how people stop by and load me up with food every few days. I see firsthand how people stop by and take a few meals to take care of their families. This week I saw something else. It could have been desperation, or maybe selfishness. It’s hard for me to tell. Regardless, it was some neighbors who disrespected the model and took more than they needed to get by.
Now let’s be serious for a moment here.
I’m a pantry. I don’t have eyes, ears, feelings, emotions, or even rational thoughts, but even I can tell when someone has abused the gifts of others. In my case, I went from being almost full to completely empty in a matter of a few hours. I wish no ill will on the folks who took everything. I do wish that they would stop for a moment and think about the needs of others. Hey, just take a few seconds and consider why you are there, then consider that, in a while, likely later that same day, another person will stop by searching for a few meals for their family to get by, too. Your decision to take everything from my shelves impacts other families.
Yes, anyone can take it all, but that doesn’t mean that they should.
Regardless, it makes me really sad when this happens. When I’m empty, there is no food for the next hungry family who stops by. When I’m empty, it can mean that a child may go without. When I’m empty, I’m not helping to feed hungry families.
If you happen to be the neighbors who took everything from my shelves, I’m sorry you felt the need to do so. Maybe you should contact the folks at FeedingTeam.org and they can get you connected with a place better able to help people with bigger food needs.
I’ve learned over the years to be happy when people stop by and visit me. Almost certainly every time they visit, it helps someone. This would be a good opportunity for me to say thank you to all the good folks who are a part of me being here.
To all the volunteers, sponsors, hosts, builders, and shoppers, thank you. May those who need meals be few and those who provide them be blessed. Feel free to stop by and visit me or any of my cousins all around the area.
Until next time,
Perry
As a “Take What You Need, Give What You Can” model, your donations are responsible for hundreds of meals each week. Although you may never see the recipient, know in quiet satisfaction that you are making a difference in the lives of Hoosier families right here in central Indiana.
Feeding Team provides a way and a place for those in need to get food for their family. While each pantry really is just a big wooden yellow box, it means so much more for donors and for families in need. You are welcome to join us as together we fight to eliminate hunger in Hamilton County.
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With over 40,000 food-challenged neighbors in Hamilton County, FeedingTeam.org is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that provides outdoor 24/7/365 no-questions-asked free food pantries throughout the county.
The pantries exist to meet the food insecurity needs of gap families, neighbors who may not qualify for public assistance and could use a few meals before payday. The pantries serve as many food-challenged neighbors as possible, and our hearts are with those who, like my family, could not always make ends meet.
Thank you for supporting the pantries. We love serving with so many neighbors across Hamilton County. In future columns, we will share more stories about how your generosity served neighbors in times of need. The face of hunger in Hamilton County is not what you may think.
In practical terms, this straightforward way to help neighbors is having real impact on lives, families, and our communities. Thank you. A few meals can change the course of a person’s life. A can of green beans means so much more when you have nothing to feed your kids.
Would you like to get involved? Volunteer opportunities are available. We are evaluating new pantry locations. If you think you have a potential location, please contact us.
Mark and Lisa Hall are the Founders of Feeding Team. They may be reached at lisa@feedingteam.org and mark@feedingteam.org or by calling (317) 832-1123.