The County of Wellington is setting up three community pantries at libraries in Elora, Arthur and Palmerston.
Councillor Mary Lloyd, chair of the Information, Heritage and Seniors Committee, told Wellington County Council Thursday that the committee passed a motion approving the pilot project.
A report pointed out that 17.9 per cent of households in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph area are food insecure.
Lloyd says people can visit the library and pick up non-perishables, no questions asked.
“These will be a passive spot for individuals to be able to go into a more private area of the library and help themselves to something that they may need to bolster their own pantry at home,” explained Lloyd.
Lloyd described the pilot program as a passive system. The pantries will be stocked by local food access organizations who will also track the usage of the program similar to how the Food for Fines program operated.
“You don’t have everyone and their brother knowing that you’re going to take something out of the pantry,” said Lloyd. “As well as, not everybody and their brother needs to know if you are making a donation to the pantry.”
Lloyd explained they chose libraries to host the pilot program because they are one of the few spaces where people can access services without paying a fee. The pilot program will run this year starting as soon as possible.