Evansville Little Free Pantries Could Become Lifelines

Need a little help with food or want to help ensure your friends and neighbors have access to non-perishables? Stop by a Little Free Pantry in the Evansville area.

Why SNAP Disruption Puts Local Families at Risk

The current federal shutdown is expected to interrupt SNAP benefits for millions of Americans on November 1^st, just weeks before Thanksgiving. Regardless of your political affiliations, the reality is that this is going to have a very real impact on our friends and neighbors here in Indiana, but especially for the children in our community whose caregivers count on those dollars to keep them fed.

The stall in support comes just months after $500 million in food deliveries allocated by the USDA for food banks across the nation were cut by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a report from ProPublica. The outlet cited federal data, saying that food insecurity is "higher than at any time since the aftermath of the Great Recession."

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That need is expected to grow after a law was signed over the summer creating the largest cut to SNAP funding in the history of the subsidy program, which first began as a pilot program in 1939, according to the USDA, and now, because of the shutdown, the families that rely on that subsidization to survive are being left to fend for themselves.

The Stark Reality for Many Evansville Families, Children, and Even Teachers

One Evansville teacher shared with us the stark reality that many of her students and their families face. There just isn't enough food, and the gap between the end of the month and the next round of benefits the following month often means hungry bellies for the kids.

The end of the month is always hard for families, because their refrigerators become empty. I always privatly check with my students on Fridays and send items home with those who are running low. I know many children and adults have been waiting on the first of the month, in order to restock their cabinets. My heart has been heavy all weekend, because I know they will now remain empty.

 

Little Free Pantries Offer Fast No-Barrier Food Access

The truth is that some of us are going to need help. Likewise, some of us are going to be looking for ways to help because we recognize that no one, especially children, should go hungry.

What to Donate and How to Stock Them

Regardless of whether you need help or you want to help, one of the fastest, lowest-barrier, no-questions-asked resources we have is the Little Free Pantries located around Evansville. They operate on a simple principle: Take what you need. Leave what you can. No paperwork. No forms. No shame.

If you need food, you can walk up and take something. If you want to help, you can quietly stock them with shelf-stable items, hygiene items, snacks for kids, or even pet food. Think peanut butter, ramen, cereal, canned soup, pasta, baby wipes, menstrual products… anything that can help someone make it through another day with dignity.

Evansville-Area Little Free Pantry Locations

Below, you’ll find a list of Evansville-area Little Free Pantry locations so you can either find help near you or choose a spot to make a drop-off if you’re able.

A Small Drop-Off Can Make a Big Difference

This is one of the rare situations where a $10 grocery run can literally change somebody’s week. When November arrives without SNAP benefits, these tiny boxes might become lifelines.

Evansville's Little Free Pantry Locations:

• 617 Bellemeade Ave, Evansville
• 901 S Barker Ave, Evansville
• 3099 E Gum St, Evansville
• 1105 N Fourth Ave, Evansville
• 1918 S. New York St, Evansville
• 105 W Maryland St, Evansville
• 625 Madison Ave, Evansville
• 16 W. Morgan Ave, Evansville (Dream Center)
• 1461 E Riverside Dr, Evansville
• 1231 SE Riverside Dr, Evansville
• 1617 E. Indiana Street
• 525 Richardt Ave, Evansville (New Life Ministries)
• 4901 Pleasant Ridge Dr, Evansville
• 2550 Pollack Ave, Evansville
• 2227 W Michigan St, Evansville (West Side Community Center)
• 1418 Waggoner Ave, Evansville
• 100 E Walnut St, Evansville
• 1357 Washington Ave, Evansville
• 858 S. Villa Dr, Evansville
• 50 Jefferson Ave, Evansville (Goosetown Park)
• 2100 N Fulton Ave, Evansville (Cedar Hall Elementary)
• 1228 Lodge Ave, Evansville (Greater Hope Christian Church)
• 1201 S. Boeke Road, Evansville (Lorraine Park)
• 2000 W. Franklin Street, Evansville (West Branch Library)
• 2659 Mt. Vernon Ave, Evansville (Leroy's Tavern)
• 4178 SR 261, Newburgh

The list of pantries is courtesy of Feed Evansville and the Commission on Homelessness for Evansville and Vanderburgh County. Some of the pantries are built and managed by private individuals. We have been told there are some additional pantries that have recently been added around the city. Once we have those locations, they will be added to the list here.

Keep reading to find additional Evansville community resources.