Atop an 8’ x 16’ trailer bed moving about town sits a semi-permanent, self-serve free pantry and fridge built by and for the Portland community. Named the Portland Free Pantry, this small-but-mighty mobile unit was founded by a small group with the understanding that city and state assistance programs are not comprehensive in coverage. The pantry’s founders realize that need is often invisible—someone with a full-time job and benefits may hit a brief period of financial hardship—and designed the program to serve any and everyone in need.
Powered by donations from community members and local businesses, the first-of-its-kind pantry is stocked with shelf-stable staples, hygiene products, fresh produce, prepared meals, baby supplies, over-the-counter medicines, books, toys, clothing, and more. The organization’s motto of “solidarity not charity” emphasizes the pantry’s goal: to encourage the community to take action together and build a more egalitarian, accessible, and nourished Portland.
Community partnerships are key to the pantry’s success—while Chaval and Ugly Duckling will be in regular rotation to host the pantry because of their proximity to schools and housing, the team is seeking out additional satellite locations both on and off the peninsula. Though it originally required an outdoor electric setup, newly-installed solar panels now allow the mobile unit to park anywhere.
The pantry’s success is a direct result of community contributions of all kinds, from time and labor to simply sharing social mediaposts. Learn more and get involved at portlandfreepantry.com.