Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts has installed a Little Free Food Pantry in the courtyard of the theater in Sag Harbor. The Little Free Food Pantry is a nationwide grassroots program that provides communities a resource to contribute food, personal care, and paper items to other members of the community with no questions asked and no prerequisites to access.
The Little Free Food Pantry at Bay Street is installed outdoors in the courtyard entrance and was created in collaboration with Kate Mueth and the Neo-Political Cowgirls, with construction donated by Men at Work Construction. Contributions can be placed directly in the box 24/7, and those in need can access the box 24/7 as well.
Little Free Food Pantry is not an organization, nor a nonprofit. The grassroots program is entirely interdependent on neighbors, collaborators, and donors who seek to address the daily struggles in their community and feel called to do something in a way that reflects shared values of compassion, generosity, and trust.
When Kate Mueth first approached Bay Street, the response was immediate. “I found this to be an incredible idea,” said Tracy Mitchell, Bay Street’s executive director. “As a community center, we are always ready to partner with others in order to help those in need.” The donations will be coordinated with the Sag Harbor Food Pantry as needed.
Jessica McClard launched the grassroots mini pantry movement in May 2016 in Fayetteville, Arkansas, when she planted the Little Free Pantry Pilot, a wooden box on a post containing food, personal care, and paper items accessible to everyone all the time, no questions asked. By August 2016, the movement was global.