Navigating Change | Things To Consider
Think About The Size Of Your Pantry
Each Pantry’s Capacity Is Different
Small Pantries
Medium Pantries
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. May maintain a modest inventory of non- perishable food items and possibly some basic hygiene products.
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 non- perishable 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 non- perishable items, fresh produce, dairy, meats, & hygiene products & items for dietary restrictions.
Clientele
Serve a relatively smaller number of clients, perhaps around 50 to 100 families per month.
Serve a larger number of families, typically in the range of 100 to 300 families per month.
Serve a considerable number of families, potentially over 300 families 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 volunt network, possibly including dedicated s members overseeir various operations
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 comprehensi range of services, whic 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.
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.