Five Little Free Food Pantries coming to Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - There’s a new initiative working to keep families fed across Baton Rouge. With rising food prices, now one in seven families in Louisiana are going hungry according to Feeding America. Once Ethan Jeffus heard this, he had an idea of how to help.

“This is a need for resources right here in our state and we didn’t really have something like this, so I thought why not get it going and let’s work with the community to really make it happen and create a lasting resource,” said Jeffus.

Jeffus is the Founder of the Little Free Pantry Louisiana Initiative. For the last two years, he’s placed over 20 free pantries in communities that need them the most across the state.

The Little Free Pantries have things like non-perishable food items, hygiene products and pet supplies, but the best part is they’re open 24/7. This means you can come grab what you need or donate items at any time.

“Realizing the need in our state for food and realizing that food pantries and food banks aren’t open 24/7 so the little free pantry is really a step closer to meeting people wherever they are in a time of need,” said Jeffus.

Now, five new pantries are opening in the greater Baton Rouge Area, including this one in Central, thanks to local business owner Cheri Hardin and her family.

“We started with the locations of our three offices, so we wanted to give back into our areas where we mostly see where it’s needed,” said Hardin, owner of Dave Co Plumbing.

Hardin believes this little pantry will have a big impact on families.

“Anything you like to donate. Any kind of food,” explained Hardin. “You can run by Walmart, Dollar Store and just load it up because before you know it someone will need it. They’re always posting they need something for their five family members, three family members, kids and we’re just happy to help.”

Help that Jeffus said keeps the pantries and people’s stomachs full.

“This project, I always tell people, would not be possible without support from the community and support from everyday people who want to make a difference,” said Jeffs.

You can now visit the pantry in Central or the other pantries in Greenwell Springs, Zachary, and St. Francisville. To find those locations or a list of items you can donate, you can visit the Little Free Pantry website.

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