Unemployment rates in the United States have been improving. 6.3 percent as of January 2021, in comparison to the initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, a historic 14.7 percent in April 2020. However, for many, the struggle is not over.
In Oregon the homeless crisis has been a persistent issue. In Lane County alone pre-pandemic, there was 1,606 total homeless in 2020.
Local resources like Little Free Pantry (LFP) and Burrito Brigade attempt to alleviate food security issues which accompany homelessness. They are examples of what some communities are turning to, to ensure their neighbors have a reliable source of food.
The LFP mimics The Little Free Library concept, a community-managed resource that helps make reading material more accessible to those who live in book deserts. Their mission is to improve literacy across all demographics. Swapping out books for food is the essence of LFP.
Jessica McClard began the movement in her hometown Fayetteville, AR, in 2016. Her idea caught on and by the end of that first summer others across the globe copied her. Outside of the U.S. the official LFP map features locations in Canada, Australia, London, Spain and the Netherlands.
Pantries are posted outside homes, recreational centers and on street corners for easy public access. Community members are encouraged to take and give as they please. Pantries include other commonly used products such as paper goods and personal care items.
However, once winter sets in a desire for hot foods increases. The Burrito Brigade answers the call for this need within certain cities in Oregon.
Burrito Brigade is a grassroots nonprofit organization whose sole mission is to provide free, vegan meals throughout the Eugene/Springfield area. Since beginning to operate in 2014, they have expanded their presence to the city of Portland. As the name implies they mainly create nutritionally dense vegan burritos. They only operate on weekends.
In 2019 Burrito Brigade started the local Little Free Pantry project in Eugene. In 2020 they began Waste to Taste, a food box program offering the excess foods from grocery stores and farms that would otherwise be thrown away. Food not taken by locals in need is then distributed to the various Little Food Pantries in the area.
A compiled list of all Little Free Pantries in Eugene and Springfield can be found on the Burrito Brigade’s website.
