Taos Immigrant Allies coordinate the Little Free Pantry Project in the Taos area, participating in a global movement to provide food, personal care and paper items to people who need them at any time of day or night – no questions asked.
Our Motto is: Take What You Need, Give What You Can
Local food banks meet much of the need in our communities, but they require the ability to drive to distribution sites on specific days and times and fill out applications; not everyone can do that. Little Free Pantries supplement those efforts with readily accessible food, snacks, and personal items for emergency and urgent needs close to home.
Our brightly painted boxes are stocked every day by volunteer stewards and located at 8 locations in and around Taos:
- Taos Library
- Fred Baca Park (at the south parking lot)
- Gusdorf Park (by the Little Free Library & bench)
- Dreamtree/NEST (off Gusdorf Rd)
- First Presbyterian Church (next to Red Willow Park)
- Straight Arrow Road (in Las Colonias, by the mailboxes)
- Mariposa Rd (at the intersection with Kit Carson Rd)
- Arroyo Seco (behind the Holy Trinity Catholic Church Rectory)
If you would like to volunteer to fill a Little Free Pantry box once a week at a location of your choosing, or simply have questions, please email us at: info@taosimmigrantallies.org
- All pantry items must be: non-perishable, able to withstand hot and freezing temperatures, unexpired and sealed.
- This Little Free Pantry is an easy way for neighbors to help neighbors who need food, hygiene, or paper items.
- Even though its home is on this property, this Little Free Pantry belongs to all of us. Please take care of it and the space around it.
- Tidy the pantry if it needs it. If you can, clean up spills, and please don’t litter.
- Give what you can. Place food, hygiene, or paper items inside the pantry. Give what you would want to receive. An easy rule of thumb: buy extra of what you buy your household. No gift is too small. A single can of green beans can help. Items should be unexpired and in good condition.
- Take what you need. If you find items inside and you need them, take them and know we care about you. Please remember the pantry belongs to all of us and take only those items you need trusting the Little Free Pantry will be here for you again.
Proteins
- Canned meats: chicken, ham, spam, corned beef
- Fish (canned or packets): tuna, salmon, sardines
- Nut/seed butter: peanut, almond, sunflower
- Shelf-stable cheeses: parmesan, cheese spreads
- Shelf-stable meats: pepperoni, summer sausage jerky: mushroom, beef, turkey
- Assorted nut mixes
- Protein bars
Fruits & Vegetables
- Apple sauce
- Dried fruit: mango, cranberries, raisins
- Canned fruit: mandarins, peaches, pineapple
- Individual fruit cups
- Fruit strips or gummies
- Canned vegetables: green beans, peas, corn, carrots, tomatoes, beg-all, etc.
- Pizza sauce (cans or jars)
- Baby food (jars or pouches)
Grains & Carbs
- Pasta: spaghetti, linguine, penne, macaroni
- Rice: instant packages, bags
- Beans (canned or dry): pinto, black cannelloni
- Shelf-stable pizza crust
- Tortillas
- Cereal & granola (individual packages or boxes)
- Cereal bars & granola bars
- Trail mix
- Crackers
- Rice cakes
- Pretzels
- Popcorn (kernels or microwaveable)
- Pudding or jello cups
Grains & Carbs
- Pasta: spaghetti, linguine, penne, macaroni
- Rice: instant packages, bags
- Beans (canned or dry): pinto, black cannelloni
- Shelf-stable pizza crust
- Tortillas
- Cereal & granola (individual packages or boxes)
- Cereal bars & granola bars
- Trail mix
- Crackers
- Rice cakes
- Pretzels
- Popcorn (kernels or microwaveable)
- Pudding or jello cups
Soups, Stocks & Broth
- Soups (boxed or canned): tomato, chicken noodle, beef stew, vegetable, cream of mushroom
- Broth or stock (boxed or canned: beef, chicken or veggie)
Boxed Entrees
- Mac & cheese boxes
- Canned chili
- Cambell’s Ready Meals
Milks & Beverages
- Mac & cheese boxes
- Canned chili
- Cambell’s Ready Meals
Non-food Items
- Dog/cat food
- Socks
- Rain gear
- Baby wipes and diapers
- Deodorant
- Toothpaste & alcohol-free mouthwash
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Sun block & SPF lotions
- Toilet paper.
- Feminine hygiene products
- Sanitizer sprays or wipes
- Gloves
- First-aid supplies
- Cleaning supplies
