The Little Pantry of Hope, which local resident Ernie Martel established in 2021 to honor his late wife, June, is still going strong.
June spent her life helping others. Among the charities she helped throughout her life included Harvesters, Children’s Mercy Hospital and St. Jude’s.
“June was a caring person, always trying to help the homeless and those who are struggling,” Ernie said.
When he began researching and planning how to open a pantry that not only offered food, but also everyday items such as soap, toothpaste and toothbrushes, his daughter, Bonnie expressed doubt that he would be able to get the idea off the ground, and warned him that it would difficult to find a location for the pantry. But Ernie has spent 50 years working in the grocery business and he knew he could buy food at a discount. Bonnie also knew that her dad had a workaholic nature and that he would try his very best to turn his dream into reality.
He decided to share his plan with his fellow residents at Tiffany Springs Senior Retirement Community and asked if they would be willing to help him support the pantry. They unanimously agreed and were instrumental in making the project a success.
Once a month the residents are asked to make a donation to the pantry. There are more than 160 residents at Tiffany Springs. Each resident gives whatever they feel comfortable with donating. It takes about $400 to $450 per month to keep the pantry stocked, and the residents make sure that amount is met.
“We, the community have undertaken the project of ‘giving back,’” Ernie said.
Ernie’s son, Kevin, constructed and detailed a small kitchen-sized cabinet and Ernie contacted Northmoor Mayor Lynda Wilson, who gave him approval to locate the pantry in the city park.
The pantry opened on Sept. 11, 2021 and since that date, it has provided more than 30,000 pounds of free food, available for those who are homeless and struggling. It is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
“It took a while to get it up and running,” Ernie said. “It is just a free-standing box under a shade tree. After about two months, people found it and began to use it. There’s a sign on the door that says, ‘Take what you need, leave what you can.’”
There’s another sign on the door that says, ‘This pantry is supported by the residents of Tiffany Springs.’
“We check it two times a week just to make sure it’s never empty,” Ernie said.
Once a month Ernie posts a before-and-after photo so the residents can see where their donations go. “They are always amazed,” Ernie said. “Tiffany Springs helps us get the word out. We residents want to thank Tiffany Springs Senior Retirement Community for helping us. It is not a once-and-done project, it just keeps going month after month. We all look forward to the next month. Tiffany Springs puts us in their monthly newsletter. I can’t say enough about them. We all refer to the pantry now as ‘our pantry of hope.’”
“No one person could do this alone, but as a community, it is a success,” director of Tiffany Springs Retirement Community, Mary Tamberello said. “It takes a lot of caring, committed residents to keep it going. Ernie is more than pleased with the approval and support of Tiffany Springs and its residents. We as a community ‘give back’ every month.” Tamberello initially gave Ernie permission to ask residents for monthly donations and has worked with the residents to keep the project going.
Ernie also reached out to a local church, and St. Matthew’s Church Youth Group is now helping to stock the pantry.
Ernie hopes that more people in senior living communities will find out about the food pantry and be inspired to start one of their own. He believes this is a great way for older people to ‘give back.’
“God answers even the most impossible prayers,” Ernie said. “Besides, us seniors enjoy giving back. Be surprised how fast those small donations add up.”