Little Food Pantry Project
A Community Collaboration Led by
The Explorers of Swan School
Project Overview
My name is Katey Dwyer, and I teach the Kindergarten/1st Grade class at Swan School in Port Townsend, Washington. Our class has spent this year studying the importance of community, compassion, and access to basic resources. Each year, my students organize our school’s annual food drive, and through this work they have learned about food insecurity, the value of mutual aid, and the essential role of community supports.
During our conversations, my students noticed something important: Port Townsend has very few Little Food Pantries, and many community members don’t know where the existing ones are located. Inspired by this discovery, my students designed a project with two goals:
1. Build additional Little Food Pantries in neighborhoods where access is needed most.
2. Create a complete, community-accessible map of all free food pantries in Port Townsend
What We’ve Done So Far
Students have been busy!
Researched existing food pantry locations (identifying seven current sites).
Created a working map of Port Townsend showing existing and potential future pantry locations.
Reached out to the community by posting letters on online forums and gathering neighborhood feedback.
Wrote a letter to the Mayor to ask about permitting and building guidelines for city property.
Contacted families and neighbors to identify interest in hosting a pantry on their property.
Collaborated with volunteer builders and selected a construction template for the pantries.
Prepared a materials list and estimated per-pantry cost.
Because of this work, we already have three confirmed new locations, including one at the County Fairgrounds and one at The Nest. We now have nine total pantry sites that we would love to move forward with.
Why This Project Matters
Little Food Pantries provide immediate, stigma-free access to food and essential items—available 24/7, right within neighborhoods. As more people in our community experience economic challenges and rising costs of living, these accessible resources become even more vital. Port Townsend is home to many different socioeconomic backgrounds, all coexisting within the same beautiful landscapes we share. The Little Food Pantry project creates a simple, meaningful way for neighbors across these varied experiences to support one another. By encouraging people to contribute what they can—whether by stocking a pantry or sharing items they no longer need—the project helps nurture connection, awareness, and a spirit of mutual care within our community.
This project is a prime example of why project-based learning is incredibly valuable and meaningful, giving students the chance to connect their academic work with real community needs. This type of work gives students the opportunity to engage in real-world problem solving, learn about civic responsibility and see firsthand that their ideas can create meaningful and lasting change.
Our Funding Needs
Each Little Food Pantry costs approximately $300 in materials.
This includes:
Plywood and lumber
Roofing materials
Hardware and fasteners
Weatherproofing supplies
Paint and finishing materials
We hope to build as many as possible by the end of the school year in July 2026. However, our work will not stop there—we’re committed to continuing this project for as long as the need exists.
How You Can Help
We are seeking support in several forms, and any contribution is deeply appreciated:
Financial Contributions
Help us purchase lumber, hardware, roofing, and finishing materials for each pantry.
Material Donations
Direct donations of building supplies are incredibly helpful. Even one or two items from our materials list make a big difference.
Skilled Support
We welcome help from:
Builders
Carpenters
Painters
Anyone with experience constructing durable outdoor structures
Community Guidance & Connections
Please reach out if you are interested in hosting a pantry on your property or have a location suggestion. Advice and introductions to neighborhood contacts are also valuable forms of support.
Our Goal
With your help, we aim to:
Complete our first round of pantry builds as soon as possible,
Continue placing pantries throughout our community, and
Publish a publicly accessible map so every community member knows where to find free resources when they need them.
This project is about students leading real change, neighbors supporting neighbors, and strengthening Port Townsend through compassion and cooperation.
Thank You
We are incredibly grateful for your time, interest, and support. Together, we can bring more food accessibility, awareness, and hope to our community—one Little Food Pantry at a time.
If you would like to donate:
If you would like to connect, please contact:
Katey Dwyer
Kindergarten/1st Grade Teacher
Swan School, Port Townsend, WA
katey@swanschool.org