Luther College's Little Free Pantry Offers Neighbor-to-Neighbor Support on Campus

Without local news, all we have are rumors. Keep facts alive — give now. DECORAH — Tucked in the Prayer Chapel of Luther College's Center for Faith and Life sits a small but mighty campus resource. Open to anyone, any time, no questions asked, the Free Little Pantry represents a growing grassroots movement aimed at addressing food insecurity through simple acts of community care. The idea behind the pantry was first launched in 2016 by Jessica McClard in Fayetteville, Arkansas, as a spinoff of the popular Little Free Library® concept. McClard's wooden box, filled with nonperishable foods, toiletries and paper goods, was designed to promote awareness of food insecurity and give neighbors a tangible way to help one another. Within months, similar "blessing boxes" appeared across the country and eventually around the world. Today, Luther College hosts the Decorah community's only registered Free Little Pantry, which is overseen by College Ministries. Kristin Bjerke, College Ministries program coordinator, and Nate Dennis, '27, the campus pantry coordinator, take the lead. For Dennis, maintaining the pantry is a work-study position rooted in compassion. "Little Free Pantries help people with food insecurities by reducing the barriers they face when trying to access food," Dennis said. "We don't track who uses the pantry—we only supply the food. It's a simple way to show people we care, while also raising awareness about food insecurity on campus." Beyond food, the pantry also serves as a hub for food justice advocacy, encouraging conversation around sustainability, food waste and cultural sharing. "A Little Free Pantry can be a space where people share food cultures or donate their garden harvests," Bjerke said. The Luther pantry operates entirely through campus and community donations. "We are 100% self-sustained," Dennis said. "All food donations come from within the Luther and Decorah communities." Donation drives are organized several times throughout the year, especially before school breaks, when usage tends to increase. The pantry is checked and restocked about three times per week, with Dennis keeping careful inventory of what's needed most. "Ready-to-eat meals like granola bars, ramen and nuts are the most in demand," he said. "While residence halls have kitchens, not everyone has easy access to cooking ingredients." The pantry accepts nonperishable food items, hygiene products and unopened goods. Perishable foods, opened packages and medications are not accepted, though safely expired nonperishables may still be included. While the Luther pantry focuses primarily on supporting students, it also complements community support. "The pantry is more accessible to Luther students than the Decorah Food Pantry due to time constraints and transportation costs," Bjerke said. "But we work closely with the Decorah Food Pantry and refer students there if they have ongoing food insecurity." The broader Luther community has embraced the project, with churches and campus offices contributing donations and spreading awareness. "We've received great support," Bjerke said. "More people on campus are beginning to recognize that food insecurity can exist anywhere—even here." One of the biggest challenges, according to Dennis, is combating misconceptions. "Many assume that since all Luther students on campus have meal plans, there's no food insecurity here," he said. "But that's not the case. Students may have schedules that prevent them from eating during dining hours or find that their meal plans don't fully meet their needs. The pantry fills those gaps." Residence Life often assists during academic breaks, but steady donations remain essential. "If you can keep a pantry stocked, it will stay stocked," Dennis said. "When people see it being used, they're more likely to donate." For those thinking of starting a Free Little Pantry in their own neighborhood, Dennis offers simple encouragement: "Do it! Look in your own cupboards first—Americans waste nearly 30% of their food. Sharing what you have can make a huge difference." Those interested in donating or learning more can contact College Ministries at ministry@luther.edu. Join the community of savvy subscribers (for free)! Get the latest updates, tips, and insider information by subscribing to the free newsletter today.