By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Maplesville United Methodist Church is expanding its outreach to the community in a unique way.

The church has installed a Little Free Pantry near the corner of Rail Road and Main streets.

Patterned after the Little Free Libraries becoming popular across the nation, the Little Free Pantry uses the motto “take what you need, leave what you can.”

“We had been trying to think of a way to serve the community,” Coordinator Cheryl Holmes said. “This was a way to [have a food pantry] and involve all of the community, plus it didn’t require a lot of storage and distribution.”

Holmes said she connected with someone who had done one and they gave some helpful tips.

The specially-created cabinet is attached to a tree and stocked with non-perishable food items. “We are hoping that people will join with us in this,” Holmes said. “Anyone can add to it.”

Community members can donate to help keep the container stocked by putting new items in the cabinet as supplies run low.

The church will also be keeping an eye on it.

Suggested items include canned foods, dry pasta, granola bars and crackers. In addition to food items, hygiene items such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine hygiene products, toilet paper, diapers, wipes and bars of soap are acceptable, according to Homes. All items should be left in their original packaging.

Before the cabinet was stocked for the first time, the church gathered the food to be used and prayed over it and the project.