Where do ideas come from?
Nowadays, the internet.
But the likelihood that two separate entities would work on the same idea to benefit the community at the same time is interesting.
Lincoln Trail Elementary’s Youth Leadership Club needed a project. Mahomet resident Adrienne Schaumann was inspired by what she was seeing on TikTok and YouTube.
And so both entities got started on their own micro pantries.
Micro pantires, an idea much like the Little Free Library, are designed to allow anonymous food pick-up for those in need and a drop-off point for those who wish to donate.
Mahomet currently has three: two, at the Cornbelt Fire Department and in Candlewood Estates, run by the Youth Leadership Club and one at the Mahomet Public Library run by Schaumann.
“I love that it’s solidarity, not charity—it’s supporting your neighbors at a direct, base level,” Schaumann said. “The pandemic has pulled back the curtain on food insecurity, income inequality, and policy-driven instability that has been part of America far longer than coronavirus has. There is always a need in our communities even if you can’t see it, so a micro pantry is a small and simple way to distribute aid.”
Lincoln Trail Teacher Dana Martin said that the Youth Leadership Club hopes to also place one in Seymour.
Martin’s group of 50 students has spent the year looking at the pillars of leadership: courage, honor, respect, responsibility, communication, confidence, perseverance, and innovation.
The group was inspired to provide more for the community after the success of Martin’s 5G Packs of Joy that are distributed around the holidays.
Martin said that the students brainstormed how the pantries would work, and identified some problems that could arise.
“Ultimately, the conversation ended with the overwhelming feeling that it is better to take the risk and to give than to let obstacles hold us back, which brought us right back to service over self, a theme in YLC.
“The students embraced a chance to help those in need in our community year round,” Martin said. “It took one message to the owner, Caleb Burton, of SK Exteriors, and they were immediately on board. We sent them ideas for the structures and they combined them to build something that would last.”
Students worked with classroom teachers throughout Lincoln Trail to encourage students to donate items that will stock the pantry through the rest of the school year. Community members are also invited to contribute through April 8 by dropping off non-perishable food items at Lincoln Trail.
“The hope is that through community outreach, our partnership with the fire department, and with the support of the YLC families, we will be able to stock the pantries year round,” Martin said.
Cornbelt Fire Chief John Koller welcomed the idea of having a pantry at the station. He visited the Youth Leadership Club to talk about leadership.
“He talked about servant hearts and the power of listening and leading by example, and moving forward each day, even if it is in a small way,” Martin said.
Schaumann said that the Village of Mahomet Administration and Mahomet Public Library teams have been just as welcoming and helpful in the development of her micro pantry.
“Thanks to the kind Board of Directors, this micro pantry has been placed at the Mahomet Public Library. It’s safe and well-lit, with frequent community traffic. That’s ideal, since we need the community to participate,” Schaumann said.
Set up in an old newspaper vending box, Schaumann suggested items that store well could be donated: canned food, hygienic items, diapers, granola bars.
“Part of the beauty of redistribution is its natural proclivity for reducing waste. Those with even just a little bit extra can give to those who need a boost. Instead of that box of crackers going stale in someone’s pantry, they can fill someone’s belly,” she said.
But the pantries aren’t just there for giving. Both groups know that there is a need.
“Our motto is ‘Take what you need. Give what you can,’ Martin said.
“We’ve talked about food insecurities and how you may know when someone is homeless, but you’ll likely never know when someone is hungry. It may be your neighbor, friend, or someone in your own family that will need to rely on the pantry during a difficult time and then will hopefully be able to give back to the pantry one day, too. We hope that this can be a community effort to keep our Mahomet families fed…after all, it does take a village, and we certainly have one of the best.
“I would ask the community to please take what they need from what the pantry offers! So many people do want to help you. I hope we can create habits of mutual aid that bring Mahomet closer together,” Schaumann said.
