Dubuque Innovates With The Little Free Food Pantry Program

Food security means having both the physical and economic access to a sufficient amount of food to meet dietary needs for a productive and healthy life; and unfortunately that is not always the case. Both in the United States, and in developing nations, food insecurity is often linked to poverty. Shifts in the economy, like inflation, and rises in food and oil prices, affect food security with sometimes severe outcomes in low-income areas. Dubuque is doing it's best to combat these very issues in a new and interesting way with the developement of.

Thanks to the donation of retired newspaper boxes and a coordinated network of food providers, Dubuque’s Little Free Food Pantry program has officially expanded. So far 10 out-of-use Telegraph Herald newspaper boxes have been converted into mini-pantries throughout the city. This repurposing of the existing boxes allows Dubuque to nearly double the number of pantries serving those in need.  This new strategy also makes it possible for people to host a pantry who do not have the ability or space to have a traditional one.

For anyone looking for more information on the location of food pantries, or would like to donate non-perishable items to restock them, contact the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque or visit this web page. You can also find a google map of your local pantries here. In addition, pantries are not only in need of food items but also hygiene and feminine products. Any donations that can be made help those in need.

More information and volunteer opportunities can also be found at the Community Foundation website or you can also follow Feed Dubuque County on Facebook.