Little Free Pantry & Little Free Library

It all started with young ears listening to one of Pastor Jim's sermons. Jonathan Wellsandt listened as Pastor Jim talked about using our individual gifts towards Kingdom work. Jonathan went home that day, thinking about his own gifts, and all he could think about was reading. Jonathan LOVES to read. How could his passion and love for reading be used to do God's work in the world? 

Later down the line, Jonathan was connected to Deb Killough, who also shares a love and deep passion for reading. That relationship took off and dreams about a book ministry at Holy Cross began. Jonathan and Deb spent time redoing the library inside of the church, making it more approachable and friendly to all readers. Soon after, dreams of Holy Cross being a Little Free Library site began. 

In the meantime, Alicia Glesne was having her own dreams about Holy Cross being a Little Free Pantry site so that people from the neighborhood could come at any time and get food or home items they may need. After some conversation, it was decided that the two structures would go up together as a way to love and serve our neighborhood.

With the help of Tyler Glesne and Bill Sukstorf, construction plans for the Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library came to fruition. Thanks to two Thrivent Action Team cards, on November 24, 2019, the pantry and library supplies were purchased, and a team of young and old dug the post holes. On December 1, the work began. Small groups gathered for the building and painting of the structures throughout the winter. 

Then, a global pandemic made its way here, and the project came to an abrupt halt. 

A few weeks ago, as Holy Cross was looking for new ways to reach out to our neighborhood, the team working on these projects decided it was time to finish the Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry. On June 14, 2020, the posts were set. By June 20, the structures were set on the posts, secure and ready for books and food! Finally, on Sunday June 21, there was a dedication of the Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library during worship, and both structures were filled, ready to love and serve. 

Both the Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry have a "take what you need, leave what you can" motto. Anyone is welcome to take items in both structures, and anyone is welcome to fill them. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you are wanting to help fill the Library or Pantry:

• Pantry items should be non-perishable, sealed, and able to withstand high temperatures.
• Non-food items can be included in the Little Free Pantry (examples: dish soap, diapers, wipes, toothpaste, hand soap, etc.)
• Library books can be adult or children books, in good condition.

If you are attending worship the next few Sundays and would like to donate items to the Library or Pantry, there will be a shopping cart available for you to drop your items in case that the structures are full. 

The team behind Holy Cross' Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry wants the neighborhood to have ownership of the Library and Pantry. Their vision is that there is room for the community to give and to take, making the Library and the Pantry their own. 

Countless members of the congregation helped with the construction plans, design, building, brain power, and completion of this project. Many thanks to Jonathan, Gwen and David Wellsandt, Deb and Pastor Jim Killough, Alicia, Tyler, Harrison & Cece Glesne, Bill and Peter Sukstorf, Isaiah Toscano, Kailyn Grunke, and all others who have helped or will help with these important ministries. 

For more general information about Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry, please visit littlefreelibrary.org or littlefreepantry.org.