519 Little Free Pantry Guelph

🌟 Welcome to the Team, Denise Coleman! 🌟

The 519 Community Collective is thrilled to officially welcome Denise Coleman as our brand-new Little Free Pantry Coordinator! 🎉

Denise brings a fresh, creative energy to our growing team, and we are beyond excited to have her lead one of our most meaningful grassroots initiatives. Not only is she a dedicated advocate for low-barrier food access, but she also hosts two of our Little Free Pantry locations, including the very first in Waterloo at her home on Lincoln Road and a second at her workplace on Noecker Street.

Denise is a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) with a strong belief in fostering belonging and well-being in young children. Her involvement in the Pantry Project has beautifully woven into her professional life, with her students helping to paint and stock the pantry—turning it into a tangible, community-building experience.

Denise and her partner have called Waterloo Region home since 1998, where they’ve raised their three children. Outside of her community work, Denise enjoys camping, running, knitting, crocheting, and local pub trivia nights. She's also a proud supporter of the arts and a regular volunteer at local running events and in the theatre scene.

Her passion for accessibility, kindness, and connection mirrors the very essence of the Little Free Pantry Project—a low-barrier, neighbourhood-based source of non-perishable items for anyone who needs them, and an equally accessible way for people to give back.

Please join us in giving Denise a warm 519 welcome! 💙 You can reach her at [email protected] to connect or get involved.

📣 Spread kindness. Build community. Make an impact.

Updated Locations Across the Region! 519 Community Free Pantry Project

We are not just an organization, we are not just a nonprofit. We are neighbors, and we are a COMMUNITY of friends! We realize people's budgets are nearly maxed, and we see our neighbors’ daily struggles and feel called to do something in a way that reflects our shared values—compassion, generosity, and trust.

In March 2020 our Founder launched the first grassroots 519 Community Collective Little Free Pantry on her lawn during the Pandemic! When she planted the 519 Little Free Pantry, just a simple wooden box on a post containing food, personal care, and essential items accessible to everyone all the time, no questions asked. She hoped her spin on the Little Free Library concept would pique local awareness of food insecurity while creating a space for neighbors to help meet neighborhood food needs.

Almost 4 years later and 26 additional locations have been planted and are open to the public 24-7. Including locations in Waterloo, Cambridge, Kitchener, Elora, Breslau, Fergus, Elmira, and Guelph!
This is a Movement! Throughout the US and internationally, the grassroots mini pantry movements continue growing and moving. We are so grateful to be a small part of such an amazing community!

Giving & Receiving = Love

"The concept of the Little Free Pantry not only provides essential items to those in need but also fosters a sense of solidarity and support among neighbors. By emphasizing compassion, generosity, and trust, you're not just addressing material needs but also nurturing a spirit of care and understanding within the community."

~Julie Sawatzky Founder & Chair 519 Community Collective

WINTER LITTLE FREE PANTRY IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Please avoid any glass jars or anything that will easily freeze and break!
Most items do not last 24 hours in our pantries as they are well used by many in need.
We want to ensure the safety of the food, and supplies in these cold conditions.
Please check out the following list for some WINTER ideas when donating to our Little Free Pantry locations across the region.
Thank you
[email protected]

New Pantry locations are being installed tomorrow!
Please drop by and drop off some donations at the individual locations!
1) Sponsored by Jen Charlton Hosted by Ashlee McMillan located at 120 Waterloo Ave, Guelph
2) Sponsored by Jen Charlton Hosted by Kristin Horvath-Gyuran 25 Islington Ave, Guelph
3) Sponsored Creekside Church (S) Rob Gast Hosted by
Natasha Kocher, RECE 450 Red River Drive Waterloo
4) 3) 519 Community Admin Sponsored Pantry Located at 63 Ramsay Ave Host Amanda Willick
Let's all say thank you for their community support and dedication to this cause!
519 Community Collective Free Pantry Project
Thank you to Soma's Art and Lisa Braun and her niece for creating beautiful artwork on them! SO gorgeous!!!!
Thank you Becky Klokoff for helping with the decals, and signs.
Rick Weber Richard Franklin Bryant Jr. thank you for helping to install!!!!
We are so excited about these new locations!
Please help make them a success!
Give if you can!

We are thrilled to announce the first of many Guelph 519 Little Free Pantry locations at 529 Whitelaw Road Guelph. Hosted by the very kind Teressa Oussoren and family, and sponsored by Krista Brand-Godinho for Future Installation Systems! We are so grateful for the community support on this project! You can follow along here to find out about all 17 installed pantry locations across the region!
https://www.facebook.com/519pantryproject

You are welcome to drop off any nonperishable food items, toiletries, school supplies, diapers, etc anytime.

Take what you need, Give what you can!

Let's all help make this new location a success!

Spreading kindness is what we do 519 Community Collective

Welcome,

Here on this page, you will see all the Guelph 519 Little Free Pantry locations, as well as sponsors, host opportunities, pantry updates, and special events at the Kitchener locations! If you are a host of one of these locations or a pre-planned out Guelph locations, we welcome you to join, share, and post to keep the community updated! Posting photo updates here are welcome, so folks can see what is available and when. Also for when the pantry will need a top-up. We appreciate your support!

519 Little Free Pantry Guelph