By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — Grambling State University has had a food pantry in place for students in need for a few years now.
But after last week’s Grambling City Council meeting, it appears city residents will soon have a way to obtain food in times of tribulation.
Ethan Jeffus, founder and executive director of Little Free Pantry, told the City Council that Grambling is in line for Little Free Pantry Louisiana, which would place 2-foot by 2-foot wooden boxes containing non-perishable food and other things like toiletries and household items.
Jeffus, a Minden native who graduated from Louisiana Tech University, initiated his Little Free Pantry program in 2022 and now oversees 16 pantries across Louisiana, including three in Ruston with one located on the Tech campus.
The pantries are open all days and all hours for people to get the free items or drop off replacement items.
“We put them in locations where they can be easily accessed so that people can come at any time and receive food and other items from those boxes,” Jeffus said. “We really push food items, toiletry items, household teams — anything a family might need on a daily basis.
“I like to say the Little Food Pantries are smaller, more accessible ways to get food in a time of need. Food banks and food pantries are always opened all the time, so in the instance other panties are closed, the Little Food Pantries can kind of fill the gap in those moments where someone can’t get to a food pantry, or it’s closed or volunteers might not be available to give those items out.”
Food insecurity is defined as the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one’s basic needs. Food insecurity is categorized into four levels: High Food Security, Marginal Food Security, Low Food Security, and Very Low Food Security under the following criteria:
• High Food Security: No problems or limitations related to food access or availability
• Marginal Food Security: Concern that food will run out before being able to afford more.
• Low Food Security: Reduced quality, variety, or desirability of food intake. A household at this level is also classified as “food insecure.”
• Very Low Food Security: Disrupted eating patterns resulting in reduced food intake. A household at this level is also classified as “food insecure.”
Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley applauded Jeffus at the end of the presentation.
“You are to be commended because you’re seeing a need and ad dressing that need,” Bradley told Jeffus.
For more information about Little Free Pantry Louisiana, go online to littlefreepantryla.com.
Food pantry planned for city of Grambling
By T. Scott Boatright
GRAMBLING — Grambling State University has had a food pantry in place for students in need for a few years now.
But after last week’s Grambling City Council meeting, it appears city residents will soon have a way to obtain food in times of tribulation.
Ethan Jeffus, founder and executive director of Little Free Pantry, told the City Council that Grambling is in line for Little Free Pantry Louisiana, which would place 2-foot by 2-foot wooden boxes containing non-perishable food and other things like toiletries and household items.
Jeffus, a Minden native who graduated from Louisiana Tech University, initiated his Little Free Pantry program in 2022 and now oversees 16 pantries across Louisiana, including three in Ruston with one located on the Tech campus.
The pantries are open all days and all hours for people to get the free items or drop off replacement items.
“We put them in locations where they can be easily accessed so that people can come at any time and receive food and other items from those boxes,” Jeffus said. “We really push food items, toiletry items, household teams — anything a family might need on a daily basis.
“I like to say the Little Food Pantries\ are smaller, more accessible ways to get food in a time of need. Food banks and food pantries are always opened all the time, so in the instance other panties are closed, the Little Food Pantries can kind of fill the gap in those moments where someone can’t get to a food pantry, or it’s closed or volunteers might not be available to give \ those items out.”
Food insecurity is defined as the condition of not having access to sufficient food, or food of an adequate quality, to meet one’s basic needs. Food insecurity is categorized into four levels: High Food Security, Marginal Food Security, Low Food Security, and Very Low Food Security under the following criteria:
• High Food Security: No problems or limitations related to food access or availability
• Marginal Food Security: Concern that food will run out before being able to afford more.
• Low Food Security: Reduced quality, variety, or desirability of food intake. A household at this level is also classified as “food insecure.”
• Very Low Food Security: Disrupted eating patterns resulting in reduced food intake. A household at this level is also classified as “food insecure.”
Grambling Mayor Alvin Bradley applauded Jeffus at the end of the presentation.
“You are to be commended because you’re seeing a need and ad dressing that need,” Bradley told Jeffus.
For more information about Little Free Pantry Louisiana, go online to littlefreepantryla.com.
