The Myth of the Can Opener

Ugh.

I hate it when we are out of can openers for the Little Yellow Free Pantry.

And no, I don’t hate it for the reason you might think. 

I am guessing you might think that I hate when we run out of can openers because we give away so many, and if we have none, pantry guests will not be able to open the canned food they receive here, so they will be hungry.

 

But that is not why I dislike announcing we need more.

 

I don’t like to ask for can openers because I fear my ask will perpetuate the myth that all people coming to our free pantry are experiencing homelessness.

 

And that in the bigger picture, that all people experiencing food insecurity are without housing. 

 

But from what we see daily, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

 

Because the people we meet when they stop at the LYFP are as diverse as it gets.

 

They are white.  They are black.  They are Latino.  They are Asian.  And they are everything in between.

 

They speak French and Spanish and Arabic and English and Chinese and so many more beautiful languages.

 

They arrive on foot and by car and by rental e-bike and tied to their mamma’s backs with colorful cloth and on scooters and in trucks and in strollers and in cargo vans.

 

They come on the way to work and at dinner time and on the way home from school and in the pitch black of night.

 

They live in apartments and houses and group homes and shelters and cars. 

 

And yes, some live on the streets. 

 

Some ARE experiencing homelessness. 

 

But honestly, the majority just need FOOD.

 

They have jobs.  They are hard working.

 

But they also have bills.  And rent.  And insurance.  And need to buy gas to fill the tank to drive the kids to school.

 

And a paycheck only goes so far.

 

So, maybe they swing by the LYFP to see what is available. 

 

Maybe they pick up some rice or a cake mix or applesauce or pasta.

 

But most of them, the majority, have a can opener at home.

 

They are hungry.  And they are grateful.

 

Grateful to be treated with respect. 

To have choices (some that they never see in more traditional pantries). 

And to have a resource that is open to all, no questions asked, no paperwork to sign, no red tape.

 

They are thankful.

 

And we are thankful.  Without kind donors around the country, our pantry could not continue.  Which is why I write today to say…

 

We need a dozen can openers.  Please.

 

Other things we are low on and need to restock are:

 

·       Jars of peanut butter of any kind

·       Cans of mixed vegetables

·       Cans of potatoes

·       Cans of beans of any kind

·       Cans of peas

·       Cans of carrots

·       Single serving cups of instant mashed potatoes

·       Cans of mushrooms

·       Dried beans of any kind

·       Pancake syrup

·       Pop-Tarts

·       Capri Sun or other brand of individual juice pouches

·       Individual servings of coconut water

 

You can find our Amazon wish list at the link below.  Everything ordered from the list ships directly to our home and is shelved inside.  We refill the pantry multiple times daily and pull from the storage shelves.  This system ensures there is variety in the pantry so people have choices.

 Little Yellow Free Pantry Amazon Wish List

Our neighbors thank you.  YOUR neighbors thank you.

 

And we thank you.