Partnership helps meet basic needs
Salvation Army social worker Shelly Gomez, left, Jose Gomez, and Salvation Army Lts. Amanda and Andrew Allen stand beside the Little Free Pantry recently installed on the First Drive Northwest side of the Tuscarawas County Library in New Philadelphia.
The Dover New Philadelphia Salvation Army has teamed up with the Tuscarawas County Public Library System in its most recent effort to meet the basic needs of area residents. A Little Free Pantry has been installed adjacent to the county library’s main building on First Drive.
“Little Free Pantries provide a quick and easy solution for anyone going through hardship and experiencing food insecurity,” Salvation Army social worker Shelly Gomez said.
According to a 2017 USDA study, food insecurity is defined as a disruption to food intake or eating patterns due to a lack of money or other resources. The economic effects of the global pandemic have increased food insecurity throughout the country including Tuscarawas County.
“The concept behind a Little Free Pantry is that you take what you need and leave what you can,” Gomez said. “The Salvation Army will help keep the pantry filled and monitor that the items inside the pantry meet the safety and date range guidelines for food pantries.”
Gomez said anyone is welcome to contribute.
The Little Free Pantry concept was started with a pilot in Arkansas by Jessica McClard in 2016 as a spin on the Little Free Library concept of Take a Book, Leave a Book. McClard’s goal was to make food, personal care and paper items accessible with no questions asked: “Take what you need and leave what you can.” Today, throughout the U.S. and internationally, the mini pantry movement continues to grow.
Library director Michelle McMorrow Ramsell said the county library has seen firsthand the literacy benefit of increasing access to reading materials with its Little Free Library initiative.
“We are always striving to meet the needs of the community,” Ramsell said. “As our community struggles with the economic effects of the pandemic, food insecurity has become a great concern. We couldn’t be happier to partner with the Salvation Army in placing a Little Free Pantry in our New Philadelphia neighborhood.”
Dover New Philadelphia Salvation Army Lts. Andrew and Amanda Allen said plans are underway for additional partnership events between The Salvation Army and the Tuscarawas County Public Library.
“Starting on March 27, the Salvation Army Canteen will set up in the library’s parking lot near North Broadway from noon to 12:30 p.m. on the fourth Saturday of each month and will provide a free lunch for anyone to pick up and take home,” Andrew Allen said.
Allen said there is no income requirement or ID required to take a lunch. The lunches will be available to anyone who needs one until supplies run out.
The Main Library is located at 121 Fair Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.
The Dover New Philadelphia Salvation Army is located at 809 Emmet Ave. NW in New Philadelphia.
Learn more about the services offered to the community by calling The Dover New Philadelphia Salvation Army at 330-364-3811 or the Tuscarawas County Public Library System at 330-364-4474.