Grassroots Free Pantry Launches on Laramie’s West SideNeighbors come together to fight food insecurity at Lincoln Community Center

LARAMIE — Neighbors on Laramie’s West Side have joined forces to install a new free pantry at the Lincoln Community Center, creating a 24/7 resource for anyone in need of food assistance.

Located at 365 West Grand Avenue on the building’s north side, the pantry follows the familiar “take what you need, leave what you can” model, inviting residents to both give and receive directly. Stocked with nonperishable food items, the pantry will rely on the generosity and participation of the community to stay filled.

“It took as little as a quick email to rally a team around this project,” one volunteer said. “The need to offer extra support for each other is clear.”

The effort was sparked by local residents who saw an urgent need for accessible food options on Laramie’s West Side. Volunteers are currently building a weather-proof structure for long-term use, while a temporary pantry bin is already available for immediate donations and use.

The Lincoln Community Center has long been a hub for neighborhood engagement and community programs. Board president Chavawn Kelley expressed the center’s enthusiasm for hosting the project:

“The Lincoln Community Center lies at the geographic heart of the West Side neighborhood and we are glad to provide the location for this new resource,” Kelley said. “Our mission has always been to serve as a resource for the community.”

The Little Free Pantry movement, which began in 2016, has spread across the country as a grassroots way to address food insecurity through small, community-run pantries. This new pantry joins that growing network of neighbor-to-neighbor compassion in action.

Those wishing to donate can drop off shelf-stable items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, and cereal at the temporary bin located at Lincoln Community Center.