Pantry movement ‘about community building’

A Brandon senior has been stocking the shelves of a Little Free Pantry for a year now and says she is thrilled that the community has benefited from the fruits of her labour.

Every day, Sylvia Barr pulls her cart on wheels filled with non-perishable food items to the pantry located on the 1100 block of 10th Street. It’s across from École secondaire Neelin High School, not far from where the South End Community Centre once stood.

On Wednesday morning shortly after 9:30, Barr opened the door to place the items inside. She brought juice, a ready-to-bake pie crust and filling, crackers, peanut butter, Kleenex and dish detergent.

Barr held up a soup container and smiled.

“It’s all about community building, one cup of soup at a time,” Barr said, adding, “there is only one rule, take what you need, give what you can.”

The pantry movement — as Barr calls it — is part of an international initiative that includes the little free library, where people can take and give books.

“There are now more than 20 of the little free libraries in Brandon,” Barr said, “and there’s even a little free gallery in front of the Makerspace on Rosser Avenue for artists.

“So, this,” she said as she nodded to the pantry, “was intended to be the first of many. There should be one in every community.”

Barr got the city’s approval to erect the pantry, and organized a group of volunteers to help make it happen.

Besides the donations that Barr gets from her neighbours, she pays for all the items out of her own pocket.

“This is my community, right?” Barr said. “I try to have a positive view of other people who may be struggling with difficulties and challenges. They have the same aspirations, hopes and dreams as we do and are just trying to raise their family. We’re all the same, they’re not bad people,” she said.

“And what better way to spend your money than helping your community, helping other people out?”

While Barr was putting the last of the items in the pantry, a woman walking her dog stopped by to donate. She declined to give her name but told the Sun, “Sylvia is a good influence.”

“I just brought some crackers and some crab apples. Whatever we have, we like to contribute.”

When asked the reason why, she said “It’s because,” she paused, adding, “community.”

The pantry was installed last June — built by three members of Brandon Seniors for Seniors Co-op Inc. through its Men’s Shed program.

It’s more than six feet tall with the wooden box affixed to four iron legs, welded and donated by Millcosteel Ltd.

The bright paint job makes it hard to miss and is steps from a city bus stop.

Most days when Barr comes to restock the pantry, the shelves are bare, much to her delight.

“The feedback that I have had from users has been very positive. Most are shy, sometimes they stand back and say they’re very grateful that it’s here,” Barr said.

Barr is creating food security which is a human right, said Marcia Wiebe, a decade-long friend of Barr’s. It gives people access to appropriate nutrition within their neighbourhood and within their means.

“Sylvia is a never-ending source of community projects,” said Wiebe, food bank co-ordinator at Samaritan House Ministries.

“Her efforts become life changing for those of us who are in the business of helping, and also for those of us who need inspiration so that we can become part of the solution and not part of the problem,” Wiebe said.

“The food pantry offers an opportunity for neighbours to help their neighbours without having to have any kind of structural relationship around it,” she said.

“It’s just a little piece of community engagement around food that is very anonymous and very low-barrier. That’s really good.”

With the non-perishable food items, Barr suggested they be seasonal-appropriate to avoid melting in the summer or freezing in the winter.

Welcome hygiene products include a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo and paper products.

“People ask me, ‘how do I donate, when is it open?’

“It’s never locked, it’s open 24-7,” Barr said as she laughed.

» mmcdougall@brandonsun.com

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