Lil' Pantry of Mount Vernon

09/27/2026

As many of you know, I started the Lil' Pantry at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to feed neighborhood children, and it took on a life of its own. But over the past few months, we've noticed many new children at the pantry.

[Side note: I appreciate everyone who stocks me up on Pediasure because children (and adults) LOVE to grab one of those chocolate drinks, and it gives them enough nutrients for an entire day!]

But Friday night, an entire sibling group was at the pantry. I walked out to talk to them, and they were very quiet. The eldest child (maybe 13) said he was trying to find them meals to get through the weekend. I outfitted them with some easy-to-fix meals, and they walked away with several bags of food and snacks. I came in the house to start filling the pantry again, and two more boys rode up on bikes in the same situation. Hearing them discuss what to take and how to make it last the weekend was heartwrenching. It overwhelmed me, and I went in the house and wept.

As you start your week, do what you can to make life a bit less bumpy for those around you. And thank you to those who donate to the Lil' Pantry. I just want you to know that your donations are making a huge difference in the lives of young people this weekend.

09/08/2026

On behalf of all the patrons of Lil' Pantry, thank you to our supporters! You help smooth the road that we walk and lift some of the burdens that we carry!

09/07/2026

To the person in the white car who just filled the pantry (hopefully, you are on Facebook and follow this page):

I know you think you're being generous, and it took you a lot of effort to organize all the food you donated directly into the pantry. BUT, ALL of it was expired. Most of it was Pre-2017! There were cans from 2011. So, I had to spend the last 30 minutes emptying the entire pantry, throwing out the food, and deep-cleaning. Then, I had to reload the pantry with good food.

Thank you for thinking of the Lil' Pantry, but PLEASE do not bring expired items again. It's difficult enough for my family to maintain this pantry on a 24-hour basis. We don't need the added labor, and I WILL NOT serve expired food to the patrons of the pantry.

Here is a refresher of a video I posted nearly a year ago: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1341685024267579

09/02/2026

It's been one year since Lil' Pantry of Mount Vernon reopened, and we want to say THANK YOU for the community support and donations!

In the current economy, the need is GREAT. We're seeing more children and young adults / young married couples at the pantry than ever before.

Right now, we are low on basic staples: canned vegetables (corn, green beans, potatoes, etc.), peanut butter, jelly, and oatmeal packets!

https://www.lilpantrymountvernon.com/needs

08/16/2026

The Lil' Pantry has 4 more of these calculators (new in box) if anyone needs one for school. Send me a DM so that we can arrange pickup!

08/10/2026

It’s been a discouraging week here at the Lil' Pantry, so today we’re choosing to put something different into the world: a little kindness.

A few bad moments don’t define this community. Every day, people quietly share what they have, help their neighbors, show grace, and do good things when nobody is watching.

Those are the moments worth remembering. Kind people make the world a better place.

The bad stuff can be loud. But it doesn’t have to get the last word. ❤️

08/07/2026

The Lil' Pantry is SUPER LOW on grocery bags, so the next time you go shopping, we would love your bags! We can't use the heavier bags Kroger uses for pickup orders... they're too thick to fit in our pantry bag holder. But we can always use the thin grocery store bags! Drop them on the porch at 11 Sychar anytime, day or night. Thanks so much!

08/04/2026

THESE HAVE BEEN CLAIMED!

If anyone's child in middle school, high school, or at the career center needs the required TI-30XIIS Calculator, we have two donated for this purpose (brand-new in packaging). Reach out via DM if you need one. I will edit this post to indicate when they are both picked up.

Send a message to learn more

08/04/2026

The folks at Rent-2-Own surprised us with SO many needed supplies at the Lil' Pantry today! We are VERY appreciative of their support!

Nourishing Our Neighbors. One Bag At a Time. That’s the motto of the Lil’ Pantry of Mount Vernon. Jackie and I had the pleasure of meeting the team that keeps the pantry stocked and running. This little place is truly a blessing to our community. We are so thankful to be a part of this.

07/27/2026

I have a special request. If anyone would be willing to donate some Pediasure, I could really use some at the pantry (please drop them on the porch because I am handing these to specific children when I see them, so I don't want them in the pantry). I can't go into details here, but it would be very helpful to have them on hand for some specific kids who need the extra nutritional support. Chocolate would be perfect!