Babbitt now has a community food pantry — and it all began with a Facebook post last week.
After Jo Bryson heard the news about SNAP cuts, she turned to social media to inquire whether anyone had thought of establishing a food bank.
“It just kind of picked up,” Bryson said.
Alder Inn owner Billie Rouse reached out to offer space in an underused storeroom within the motel. Within four days, An Itty Bitty Babbitt Pantry “was up and running,” said Bryson.
The pantry currently offers 24/7 access to any Babbitt resident in need of food items, prioritizing anonymity so that locals can pick up goods at their own convenience and comfort. Pantry organizers have begun to expand beyond groceries to provide further assistance.
“You don’t not get sick just because you’re out of money,” said Rouse, “If you had to pick between purchasing low dose aspirin for your heart or getting a pound of soup to eat, you’re probably going to get the food.”
Rouse updates a list of requested products via Facebook. Current needs include low-dose over-the-counter medications like Aleve, as well as band aids, burn cream and toiletries. For food, Rouse named cereal, shelf-stable milk, canned meat and canned sauce as helpful donations.
Bryson and Rouse emphasize that the project has been a community effort, with many locals stepping up to offer services, donations and support.
“Nobody said no, not a single person,” said Rouse, “Every- body said how, when, and where, but nobody said no.”
Ruby’s Pantry will host a collaboration event on Nov. 14 in which residents may purchase a share in the food drive to support An Itty Bitty Babbitt Pantry. Free blood pressure checks will also be offered at the same time.
“I’ve worked in a lot of different towns and I’ve never seen a town mobilize as quickly as Babbitt did,” said Christina Forsythe, a pastor at Babbitt Evangelical Lutheran Church who has also assisted with the initial efforts.
“The community has just been giving and giving and giving,” Bryson said.
The new food bank has not been the only effort recently launched to support Babbitt residents through uncertain financial circumstances.
Babbitt’s Lost Sock laundromat will offer free washing and drying services this Saturday, Nov. 8 between noon and 6 p.m.
Owner Katie Furmal hopes to open up the service monthly on every second Saturday going forward, “depending on response and the needs of the community.”
“It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while,” Furmal stated, “I don’t want families to choose between groceries and clean clothes. Budgets are tight and this is just one small way I can give back to my customers and the community.”
An Itty Bitty Babbitt Pantry also hopes to respond to the needs of the moment, placing an emphasis on action and allowing the future to sort itself out along the way.
“We’re going to see how things go,” Bryson added, “We’re going to keep this going as very long as we possibly can. If there’s a need here, we want to help fulfill that.”
