What is the Little Free Pantry?

This mini pantry is an easy way for neighbours to help neighbours who need food or hygiene items. Essentially, it is like a mini food bank. The pantry was originally located in front of Backyard Birds Nature Shop, in the City Centre in Spruce Grove. A new partnership has been formed, and the pantry has now been moved to the Spruce Grove Public Library, located a few blocks away, at 35 Fifth Avenue in Spruce Grove. It is available for anyone to take items they need, or give items if they can.

While the pantry no longer lives in front of the store, Backyard Birds Nature Shop will continue to accept donations of food and hygiene items. We will continue to ensure the pantry is well-stocked for our community members. Please feel free to continue bringing donations to us here at the store, or you may now also take them directly to the library.

The Spruce Grove Public Library staff and the owners of Backyard Birds are partners and stewards of the project, but the pantry belongs to all of us. Please take care of it and the space around it. If you can, clean up messes around it and please don’t litter.

The Little Free Pantry project has taken off across North America, with over 2900+ pantries popping up across Canada and the United States. Learn more about the Little Free Pantry project by visiting this site.

Take what you need.

If you find items inside and you need them, take them and know we care about you. Please remember the mini pantry belongs to all of us, so only take the items you need, trusting that the mini pantry will be here for you again when you need it.

Give what you can.

You are welcome to place food or hygiene donations inside the pantry. Give what you would want to receive. No gift is too small! In winter, please try to avoid donating items that will freeze if left outdoors.

Commonly Needed Items

• Food Items: Dry soups, crackers, pasta, rice, ramen noodles, oatmeal, granola bars, pop tarts, spices, can openers
• Hygiene Items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, bars of soap, feminine hygiene products, mittens, scarves, blankets,
• Please note that during winter, we cannot put items in the pantry that will freeze, as that causes concern for food safety. If there are items that are donated that may freeze, staff will remove them and put them out when safe to do so.
• Take a look at or download this Little Free Pantry Information & Commonly Needed Items Sheet!

Health & Safety

Note: We follow Alberta Health Services regulations for community pantries and this project is monitored daily to ensure we are keeping community members safe and to ensure there is nothing in the pantry that shouldn't be there.

Contact

If you have any questions regarding the Little Free Pantry project or are interested in getting involved, please feel free to contact Alana at 780-948-8597.

Our project was recently featured in an article about Little Free Pantries across the country in the Globe and Mail. Check out the article here!