Pete's Pantry

04/29/2026

We are so excited to finally share that Pete’s Pantry is officially open and ready to serve our community!!

This has truly been a labor of love, and it would not have been possible without each one of you.

Your support, generosity, and encouragement are the reason we keep doing this.

We are currently in need of donations!
Here are some items that are always helpful: (Reminder- We CANNOT accept expired items.)

Shelf-Stable Food Items:
* Canned vegetables, fruits, and meats
* Soups, chili, and pasta meals
* Peanut butter & jelly
* Rice, pasta, and boxed meals
* Cereal, oatmeal, and grits
* Mac & cheese
* Crackers and snack items
* Shelf-stable milk (almond, oat, etc.)
* Bottled water
* Granola bars & individually packaged snacks

Hygiene Products:
* Toothpaste & toothbrushes
* Soap & body wash
* Shampoo & conditioner
* Deodorant
* Feminine hygiene products
* Toilet paper
* Baby wipes
* Hand sanitizer
* Laundry detergent (small sizes preferred)

Baby/Toddler Items:
* Diapers (all sizes)
* Pull-ups
* Baby wipes
* Formula
* Baby food & toddler snacks
* Sippy cups & bottles
* Baby shampoo & wash
* Pacifiers

You can place all items in the pantry or on the side porch of the sawmill! Thank you all! 💙

03/15/2026

Pete’s Pantry (lengthy) Update 💙

I’m excited to share that the rebuilding of Pete’s Pantry is already underway! We are now working on the inside to install the shelves and complete a few final touches before it’s ready.
For now, while we finish the inside, the pantry is not yet open to the community.

We are still gratefully accepting donations so that we can fully stock the pantry before reopening. If you would like to contribute, donations can be left on the side porch of the Sawmill.

I have always been very intentional about not putting cameras on the pantry, because I never wanted anyone who needed help to feel watched or uncomfortable. Pete’s Pantry has always been about dignity and quiet support.

However, after what happened, the pantry is now under surveillance. Please know this was not a decision I wanted to make, but one I felt was necessary to protect something that belongs to the entire community.

That being said, we have no desire to monitor or check the cameras unless theft or vandalism occurs. My hope is that anyone who needs to use the pantry will still feel just as comfortable and welcome as before.

Once the shelves are installed and everything is stocked, I will post to let everyone know when Pete’s Pantry is fully operational again.

As always, thank you to everyone who has supported this mission, offered encouragement, donated items, and helped rebuild. Your kindness continues to honor Pete in the most meaningful way. 💙

03/09/2026

I want to sincerely thank everyone who has reached out with kind words, encouragement, and offers to help since the pantry was stolen. The amount of support from this community has truly meant more than I can express.
While what happened was incredibly disappointing, the response from so many of you has been a powerful reminder of why Pete’s Pantry exists in the first place. Your compassion and willingness to step up for others is truly special.
Right now, I’m working through the next steps and looking into a few options to get Pete’s Pantry back up and running as soon as possible. I’ve had many people offer donations and help, and I’m so grateful for that generosity.
We’re still navigating the best way to move forward, but please know Pete’s Pantry is not going away. I’m determined to reopen it and continue the mission it was created for.
I’ll keep everyone updated as plans come together. In the meantime, thank you all for the kindness, encouragement, and for standing behind this little pantry that means so much to so many.

Pete's Pantry may have been taken, but the love behind it is still very much here.

Send a message to learn more

03/07/2026

I'm incredibly disappointed to share that Pete’s Pantry was stolen.
The entire pantry itself was taken.

Pete’s Pantry was built out of love and loss. It has been a way to turn grief into something good for others.
It exists so that anyone who is struggling can take what they need without shame and neighbors can give what they can.

I won’t pretend that I’m not angry. I am. I’m frustrated, hurt, and honestly shocked that something created purely to help people in our community would be stolen.

I haven’t posted updates about Pete’s Pantry in a few months. Life has been busy, and I simply haven’t been as active online about it lately. But the pantry has still been there, still meant to serve anyone who needed it, acting as intended through your support and donations and serving our community.

But here’s the thing
this will not stop Pete’s Pantry.
Not me.
Not this community.

If anything, it just reminds me why it matters so much in the first place. The kindness and generosity this community has already shown is far bigger than one selfish decision.

To the person who took it,
I hope you truly needed it. Because taking something meant to help the most vulnerable in your own community is something that says far more about you than it does about us.

We’ll rebuild. We’ll restock. And we’ll keep doing what Pete’s Pantry was created to do.
Take care of our neighbors and honor Pete’s life with kindness.

Be on the lookout for updates and changes so we can continue to support this amazing community
Thank you to everyone who has supported this mission and continues to believe in it.

If you have any information regarding the theft, please message my personal fb, Emily C. Dickerson.

Send a message to learn more

12/09/2025

Please share!

The additional pantry took a hit from the strong winds we had and is temporarily out of service. We are working on repairs, and it will be back up and ready by Wednesday evening.
We apologize for any inconvenience this causes. In the meantime, all donations can be placed in the other pantry.
As always, thank you all for your kindness, patience, and continued support for our community! 🫶

12/04/2025

We are so excited to share that our new decals and signs are officially up! 💙
We also added a second pantry to include baby essentials, kids’ snacks, hygiene products, and women’s hygiene products.

While we are incredibly grateful for every donation, we kindly ask that you please avoid donating expired goods. We want to ensure everything placed inside is safe and helpful for our neighbors who rely on it.

Thank you all for supporting Pete’s Pantry!

11/11/2025

I was recently asked why we chose to place this type of pantry in Wade, especially since our homeless population is fairly low.
The truth is, while we may not have many without a roof over their heads, we do have plenty of neighbors who struggle to put food on the table.
Maybe you’re down to your last $20 until payday.
Maybe your SNAP benefits have run out.
Maybe your food budget is just a lot tighter. Maybe you feel led to help the man you pass on your way to work each day, but your own finances are tight.
That’s why Pete’s Pantry is here.
It’s for moments just like those.
No matter the circumstance- It’s for neighbors helping neighbors. 🫶