Built on Experience: Supporting Our Community Through "The Neighbors' Nook LFP"
​Welcome, neighbors! My name is Lily and I am the founder of this little free pantry.
​This project is deeply personal. I grew up in a busy household, raised by single mother who did what she could to care for my four siblings and I. I remember clearly that our family, like many others, relied on community assistance and programs to ensure we all had enough to eat.
​Later in life, that lesson came full circle when I found myself navigating life as a divorced mother of two. Right before the pandemic hit, I went from a dual-income household to a single-income household. Navigating taking on all of the bills and mortgage myself, balancing full-time remote learning with both of my children, while also working full-time remotely led to many visits to the local food pantries to help feed my little family. If it weren't for those community programs, I don't know how I would have been able to keep our bellies full. I'm sure we all remember how our grocery bills doubled with having our children home full-time due to COVID. The amount of times my kids needed a snack break throughout the day had me wondering how much actual learning they do while they are in school! Because there was no way they took that many breaks during the day, lol. These experiences reinforced how quickly life's circumstances can change and how vital a little bit of neighborly support can be when you're trying to keep up with it all. The devastating news of SNAP benefits being frozen at the start of November 2025 fueled this idea. The idea to give back to my community. To help families already struggling. The single parent who is working their butts off to make ends meet. The family who is trying hard to stay above water dealing with life's challenges being thrown at them left and right. The newly divorced parent who is freaking out about whether or not they can do this on their own (you can, believe in yourself). Elderly neighbors who are trying so hard to make their retirement benefits stretch through the month.
​That's why I created THE NEIGHBORS' NOOK LFP: a non-judgmental, readily accessible spot right here in the south end of Stratford where neighbors can support neighbors, just as my family was once supported in the past and in the current.
​🌟 Our Vision
​This pantry is here for anyone who needs it. This is a place to find dignity and support when times are hard and money is tight. Equity and Open Donations
​💖 The Golden Rule: Share the Bounty
• ​Please be considerate of others: Take only what you need right now so that every neighbor has a chance to find what they need.
​✅ Guidelines for Generosity (Donating)
• ​We gladly accept donations of almost any kind! We welcome perishable and non-perishable food, toiletries, pet food, diapers, wipes, and school supplies.
• ​Safety Check: Please ensure all items are clean, sealed, and have not expired.
​🛑 Guidelines for Use (Taking)
• ​Take what your family needs today. Help us keep the shelves stocked for the next neighbor who visits.
• ​Please respect the space: Keep the area clean and organized for everyone who uses the pantry. If something gets knocked over, please pick it up. If a bin is left uncovered, place the lid back on top.
​The pantry is available 24/7. Stop by to share what you can, or take what you need—no questions asked.
