Open pantry opening hearts in Shepherdsville
SHEPHERDSVILLE, KY (WAVE) – Standard pantry items, like dried cranberries, oats and cornbread mixes, sit inside a little red and yellow box outside of the Shepherdsville First Church of the Nazarene.
"Some people put some really nice stuff in here, it's quality food," Pastor Rob Beckett said.
The pantry is little. It has a roof and stands on one wooden post. It also has a latch, but not a lock. What's special about this pantry is that it's open to anyone.
"It's been already almost a week and a half, it was almost emptied out, then I came back the next morning and looked and it has already been filled back up!" Beckett said.
Inspired by the similar little libraries that are popping up all over the country, Pastor Beckett decided to do something similar, except with food. He was so inspired that he immediately went to buy supplies so he could build the pantry box himself.
That was about a week and a half ago. Now, standing tall in the parking lot, the pantry is filled with non-perishable goods.
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Beckett says he did it so that people in need can find relief, through silent, anonymous interactions. He explained that many people who visit the pantry come at night.
"They can come discreetly. They don't have to talk to nobody, they don't have to fill out any forms, they don't have to do anything except walk up, pull the handle, open the door and take what you need. That's it," Beckett said.
Kind souls from the city, keep it filled up.
"The closeness, the oneness, the kindness of the city is incredible. People want to help each other because there are ties here," Beckett said.
It's a 24/7 system that guarantees full stomachs and full hearts, until the next time you visit to take what you need or give what you can.
Beckett says he is in talks with different key players in the city to set up more of these pantries. Currently, the flagship pantry sits in the church parking lot, located at 244 N. Maple Street in Shepherdsville.
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