Greensburg Fire Department installs two more mini food pantries

Almost as soon as the plastic box appeared in the parklet on South Pennsylvania Avenue, donors filled it with food and toiletries for those in need.

“The next day I stopped and it was three-quarters of the way full, and has maintained that level ever since,” said Rick Steele, president of Greensburg Volunteer Hose Company No. 7.

The community food box relies on donations, and Steele hopes Greensburg’s giving spirit will extend to two new mini food pantries the fire department installed over the weekend at St. Clair Park and Lynch Field.

“That was the plan from the start, to start with the parklet and find two other locations within the city, where we can install these to help people in need,” Steele said.

Sendell Motors sponsored the project.

Anyone can access the boxes, either to take what they need or donate items.

The concept is based on the “Little Free Pantry,” which begain in Fayetteville, Ark., in 2016 and has spread to more than 700 locations.

The boxes are not meant to replace services like food banks, Steele said. Rather, they provide for people with an immediate short-term need.

“They can go there and get something to get them through the day, or through the night,” he said.

Donors can drop off nonperishable food, hygiene products, diapers, school supplies, hats, gloves, scarves and socks. Fresh foods, previously worn clothing and alcohol are prohibited.

The community has been good about following these rules at the South Pennsylvania Avenue box, Steele said.

The only problems have come when the box is full. Donors sometimes pile items on top of the box or at its base, leaving them susceptible to damage from rain or animals, Steele said.

He asked community members not to leave donations outside the box.

The project has illustrated Greensburg’s generosity, he said.

“People in this community are very willing to help,” he said.