Posted up on Anderson Street, locals can find the newly launched Portland Free Pantry, a self-serve shed of supplies ranging from food and hygiene supplies to baby products.
Not only that, it’s on wheels — the first service of its kind in Maine.
The pantry is open 24/7 to the public to come and grab what they need, with no specific target audience, according to organizers. People can go in and grab goods as they need them, ranging from a variety of dry goods and certain refrigerated food items like fresh eggs. Everything in the pantry is completely sourced from donations in the community.
The Portland Free Pantry was organized by a team of and is open to the public. The group operates on a philosophy of “solidarity, not charity,” according to one of several volunteer organizers behind the project, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The pantry was built with the hope of lending a helping hand to anyone who may need it, and also giving locals a chance to give back if they choose to. Though the pantry’s mobility is a prominent feature, it is designed to linger in a given spot to give people time to locate and access it.
The pantry will be parked on Anderson Street for the time being, at least until the East Bayside Block Party on Aug. 10, with a new “tracker” feature expected near the end of the month.
