We recently connected with Jennifer Parker and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory of your career?

Throughout history there have been defining moments often associated with war and pestilence. As the chair and professor of human sciences, I watched the pandemic unfold across Asia and Europe with growing anxiety, but nothing prepares you until the true horror of events comes knocking on your front door. Covid arrived in the Midwest during Spring Break 2020. Suddenly, the general population was being told to basically shelter in place. Don’t go to work, restaurants, see friends or family unless you lived with them. Cancel vacations, elective surgeries, and the government would tell you if your profession was “essential” or not. In those ensuing weeks, I watched our neighbors walk aimlessly around the neighborhood in masks with raw fear in their eyes. Since my daughter’s family and we lived close, we created our own familial support group. Some of our children were in the healthcare industry, so they were deemed “essential”. Others, however, were in the hospitality industry and were therefore “non-essential”. My husband was and is a CDL driver, so his position and mine, as a teacher, was secured. One daughter started over as a stocker in a grocery store where she met her future husband. Fortunately, grocery workers were still “essential”.

After about week two, my husband and I thought it might break the boredom of my grandson to build a Tiny Library. Once completed we filled it with books and sat it in the front yard. Immediately, the community gravitated toward this small social interaction. Questions came in as to how often we sanitized the books, how donations were to be received, and how often the library was wiped down. Slowly, social trust began to be established, but the supply line for food was still broken and food was scarce. It was then that my husband and I decided to level up and create a Tiny Pantry. The pantry was built using the same concept as the library. We constructed a second tiny building and erected it too in our front yard.

At my husband Adam’s suggestion, we became active on social media. The pantry was self-sustaining within two months. Food donations started arriving on our porch and it quickly filled the voids in the tiny building. Soon we were converting a bedroom into a pantry for the pantry.

Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For over twenty-five years, I have taught Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, Microbiology, and even Nutrition. Prior to that I worked in the hospitality industry for ten years. Between the two, I developed a very different perspective about health and nutrition. When the pandemic hit, it became evident that the most vulnerable in our community were being impacted the greatest. It was then that it was decided to provide those that were struggling with free food and hygiene 24/7/365. It was a steep learning curve. Adam and I both had to balance our full-time jobs with what was quickly becoming a second full-time job. The biggest hurdle, however, was developing buy-in. How could neighbors, families, and friends be convinced to help other neighbors, families, and friends in need?

At the end of the first two weeks of isolation, the Nextdoor app became the platform of choice to ask the community for help. Through humor and pictures, items were requested. The logistics of items being left on the front porch without any social interaction was explained. Feedback was then delivered through messages. This helped to keep the social distancing that was vital to keeping everyone safe. At first, items arrived opened and expired as still shocked individuals were rummaging through cabinets trying to feed their own families, but still wanted to help. After some carefully worded posts, however, donors became aware that these were not usable items, but that there were many other alternatives. Suggestions ranged from plastic bags, hotel samples, to canned foodstuffs. Soon Nextdoor administrators noticed the buzz and suggested that a group be created, and Tiny Pantry Times was born. The premise was similar to a newspaper. It would provide a running commentary on the pantry needs while interspersing thought-provoking stories and community involvement. Slowly a community evolved around this shared idea of doing for others and #TakeWhatYouNeedShareWhatYouCan became a reality.  Tiny Pantry Times currently distributes approximately 18,000 pounds of food and hygiene into the community a month. The need is great, but so are our supporters.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

There are about as many ways to run a pantry as there are pantries. Tiny Pantry Times has always strived to keep food and hygiene items safe. Nothing is administered that is opened or grossly expired. Recipients know that they can come anytime day or night and know that what they are getting is safe. Tiny Pantry Times has also worked to provide “complete” meal offerings including, but not limited to, animal and plant protein, vegetables, whole grains, dairy, condiments, fruit, sides, oral, personal, and feminine hygiene, and, in rare cases, cleaning supplies and animal food. After talking with recipients, bilingual meal kits with recipe cards have been added along with information regarding other resources for help with rent, additional food, and utility assistance.

Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?

Having a support network is vital. Tiny Pantry Times would not exist without the buy in of the community at large. Currently, over 100 people a day are subsisting on the offerings of a forty-nine cubic foot box in our front yard. Over eighteen thousand pounds of food and hygiene are distributed into those needing a hand up a month. Community leaders, partnerships, and individuals make this sustainable. Tiny Pantry Times is now expanding into food recovery. This addresses two issues: food waste and food insecurity. By partnering with area restaurants, coffee shops, and grocery stores, families, friends, and neighbors can gain access to nutritionally sound choices to optimize their health. Good health and good food go hand in hand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.tinypantrytimes.org