Jessica, here.
Sometimes I do interviews about the mini pantry movement. I get a lot of the same questions. What inspired you? How are mini pantries different from food banks? How many are there?
Today I was asked, “What’s your wish for this project going forward?”
Today my answer is this:
I most wish for the political will and systems-level change to end food insecurity and make mini pantries unnecessary. They could become Little Free Libraries, but the same change would probably end illiteracy, too. Maybe both continue as a "green" space where neighbors reduce waste.
In the meantime, I hope the movement keeps moving, as much for the benefit of stewards and hosting communities as for those who rely on what pantries contain. Minis are a practice in compassion, non-judgment, and trust even when it's difficult. If we want to live in this kind of community, we need practice.
We need practice.