Inspired by the National Little Food Pantry Movement, Memorial Hospital has launched a new initiative to support community members. The “Little Food Pantry,” located outside Memorial Medical Clinic Carthage on the Memorial Hospital campus, is now open with the guiding message: “Take what you need, give what you can.”
This small but mighty structure exists to bridge gaps for those who may not qualify for federal nutrition programs or who simply need assistance meeting everyday needs. The mini pantry offers an immediate, local, and judgment-free way for the community to care for one another.
The idea sparked and came to life when Memorial Hospital’s Medical Laboratory Supervisor, Sheridan Voshake, learned about small, public food pantries and asked whether Memorial could bring one to the community. In less than a week, two members of Memorial Hospital’s Maintenance Team, Jim Fink and DJ Cheney, brought the idea to life by designing and assembling a creative and custom-built pantry modeled after Memorial Hospital.
The “Little Food Pantry” is designed for those who want to give and those who need to receive. It may serve a hungry child after school, a parent who needs an extra pantry item, or a community member who forgot something at the store. All items placed inside are free, accessible 24/7, and available with no questions asked.Community members are encouraged to place unexpired, good-condition items inside the pantry, such as food, hygiene items, and paper goods, with no gift being too small. This pantry belongs to all community members with no explanation needed.
The Little Food Pantry reflects Memorial Hospital’s commitment to the community it serves, and supports one another through both short-term challenges and ongoing needs. Please note that all donated food items are provided as-is. Use of the food pantry is voluntary, and consumption is at your own risk. For more information about Memorial Hospital, visit MHTLC.ORG.
