Navigating Change | Things to Consider

Think About The Size of Your Pantry

Look through the Pantry Size Chart.

Identify your strengths and where you may currently be limited.

We understand that not all the suggested strategies may be possible for all pantries. Your size and capacity may vary per category and are considered fluid. You might find that you are small in one area and large in another. Our goal is for you to navigate through the toolkit and focus on the areas of improvement that are best suited for your pantry right now. Then you can create long-term goals for areas of growth that may currently be outside of your capacity.

Each Pantry's Capacity is Different

S

Small Pantries

M

Medium Pantries

L

Large Pantries

Physical Space

Either having a single room or storefront, around 100 to 300 square feet or no storage space & distribute delivered inventory on the same day.

~ 300 to 800 square feet, allowing for more inventory and a wider variety of items.

~ 800 to several thousand square feet, allowing for significant storage and operational capacity

Inventory

May maintain a modest inventory of nonperishable food items and possibly some basic hygiene products

May maintain a more diverse inventory including a variety of non-perishable foods, fresh produce when possible, and basic hygiene products.

May maintain a large inventory of nonperishable items, fresh produce, dairy, meats, & hygiene products & items for dietary restrictions.

Neighbors

Serve a relatively smaller number of households, perhaps around 50 to 100 households per month.

Serve a larger number of households, typically in the range of 100 to 300 households per month.

Serve a considerable number of households, potentially over 300 households per month.

Volunteers

Reliant on a handful of volunteers, often local community members or volunteers from partnering organizations.

Usually have a more established volunteer base, including regular volunteers and possibly some part-time staff.

Have a robust volunteer network, Volunteers bilingual/multilingual, and dedicated staff members.

Services

Primarily focused on distributing basic food items to meet immediate needs.

Beyond food distribution, they might offer additional services like nutrition education, application assistance for government aid programs, or referrals to other social services.

Offer a comprehensive range of services, which may include financial literacy programs, community events, and partnerships with local healthcare providers.

Partnerships

May collaborate with food banks, local churches, schools, or community centers to gather resources

Collaborate with food banks, businesses, & community organizations to expand their reach and resources

Collaborate with food banks, governmental agencies, corporations, and nonprofits to access resources and funding for their expanded services

Growth Areas

Strength
Area of Growth

In Your Pantry Do You?...

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In Your Pantry Do You?...

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