The couple probably decided to have a small wooden pantry on Montgomery Avenue. It was based in North Central and eased the day for many people. Throughout the day, people of all ages visited the pantry to grab something. While a teen might need a granola bar to get through the long day at high school or a mother might need to bring essentials for dinner, the couple had it all set.
The pantry demonstrates how kindness makes life easy and makes you feel good. It has a sign that says, “Take what you need.” During the Pandemic, many people were seen taking steps to make life easier as COVID-19 majorly impacted all aspects of life, so this couple started with implementing the idea of having a free little library. Mary and Paul Charbonneau were behind it all! The library was based in the front yard of their house, and their act inspired many people around, too.
After they took the first step, a neighbour also left a box. When it was opened, the couple was overwhelmed to see the box full of non-perishables and books. This is when the pantry was set up. Of course, more people needed to get hold of the essentials because of the increasing inflation and the circumstances back then.
The food flow was constant, and the couple observed the need for food. Thus, they decided to repurpose an old cabinet that had been lying out for a long time in the front yard. The library was not only a blessing box! It had food items 24/7, was available to all, and was available all year. No one questioned their act or doubted their intentions even once, as Mary believes everyone is an event away from needing help.
The beauty of their act was that now in Spokane, there are over 50 pantries in the Charbonneaus box. In 18 months, the couple was able to help over 2,000 people through the distribution of approximately 15,000 items.
They also stated that more people are in need at the end of the month, probably because of low budgets. On weekends, more people visit the pantry, and roughly 100 people stop by each day, too. Imagine how beautiful it is to be no less than an angel in one’s life.
Mary also wrote in her post about how they are doing everything for the community, whether it’s their neighbours, local groups, or former recipients in need. Moreover, she was so grateful that the pantry never ran out and that every day, there was enough for the visitors.
The visitors’ never-taking-everything attitude and leaving out stuff for the other is pure generosity, and for Mary and Paul, the pantry isn’t just a box but feelings.
Even small acts with pure intentions can have a beautiful impact and inspire hundreds of other people, as their story broke the internet. The love they received was immense!
