By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Thanks to Liam McDevitt and his Eagle Scout project, a Little Free Food Pantry has been set up in the Atkins-Porter Neighborhood in Paris.
Take what you need. Donate what you can. That is the message on the door of the Little Pantry and the philosophy behind it. The pantry is for the community, not just for the A-P neighborhood.
The Little Food Pantry has been placed next to the Little Free Library that is at the entrance to the Atkins-Porter Dog Park. The park is located at the corner of Walnut and Highland Streets and is next to the Atkins-Porter Rec Center.
The pantry is well-stocked with a good variety of items, including canned goods, mac & cheese mix, hygiene products such as baby wipes and diapers, dog food, condiments and more.
The project has been in the works for some time, since the Little Free Library was installed in 2017. Liam is a member of Troop 28, which is associated with the First United Methodist Church in Paris.
The Little Free Pantry resembles the handmade Little Free Library, with the Pantry painted blue and the Library in red. It was built at his father, Scott’s shop, and materials were donated by McDevitt Construction, Paris Building Supply, Paint Plus and Tayloe Hancock.
Helping were his father, Scott McDevitt, brother Riley McDevitt, Ben Hassel, Brian Tusa and Paul Tusa.
Photos by Mandy McDevitt and Shannon McFarlin