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The Harvest Pantry: keep the shelves full this school holidays

Help keep a free food pantry open for elderly neighbors in Oakland.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ 94682, Oakland, California, United States565 views
Lucy Riley
Email verified
Oakland
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run the Harvest Pantry every Tuesday from the back of a borrowed garage. We started with 13 families, and now we feed 150 each week. Donations have dropped by about 32% this school holidays, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 11 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Oakland market and keep every receipt. Each $45 feeds a family of four for a week. All of the funds go to groceries, fresh produce, and cold-storage costs. Where the $1,350 goes: โ€ข Fresh vegetables and fruit: $750 โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $240 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $360 I'll pay this kindness forward the moment I'm able to. - Lucy

Updates from Lucy

  1. We're at 5% thanks to 2 of you. I made the first payment toward refrigeration and electricity. More news soon.

  2. 5% there. we've booked the dates and paid the deposit. Thank you.

  3. 5% there. the plan for fresh vegetables and fruit is now scheduled. Thank you.

  • Gayathri M. Babu ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $7

    โ€œBe well! - Rohiniโ€

  • Nasrin Tithi Kabir ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $10

    โ€œBe well. Shared with friends too. - Warangalโ€

  • Grace Abigail Baah ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญ ยท $64

Reviews

2.9(19 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Ximena N. Solรญs๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝVerified donor
    Honest and trustworthy

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Isabel Bravo๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Made a real difference

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Thilina Kumarasinghe๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified helper
    Exceptional service

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Alyona Yakovlev๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡บVerified helper
    Professional and kind

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Kelly Lima๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Very responsive and caring

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Murugan N. Nair๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Outstanding person

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Maverick Kennedy๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified donor
    Would recommend to anyone

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Yusuf Rashid๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Would recommend to anyone

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Yaw Mahama๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ญVerified helper
    Would recommend to anyone

    I was struggling and didn't know where to turn. This person stepped in without hesitation and provided exactly what I needed. Their compassion and expertise made all the difference in my life.

  • Bushra Baig๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified donor
    Professional and kind

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Heitor Borges๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Amazing support system

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Weston Berry๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Reliable and compassionate

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Marta Soto๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Truly grateful for the support

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Claudia Baumann๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ชVerified donor
    Exceeded expectations

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Naveen C. Tandon๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified donor
    Honest and trustworthy

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Bhavna W. Chauhan๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified donor
    Restored my faith in humanity

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Kamau Mwangi๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified donor
    Very responsive and caring

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Rania Hamdan๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Great help in a difficult time

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Randall S. Nichols๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

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  • Thinking of you, Lucy. More neighborhoods should do this. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust. Love from Istanbul.

    $81 raised of $1,350

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