Norwell, MA, April 2, 2026

This week, library director Rachel Breen announced the launch of a Little Free Pantry by the library’s Community Bulletin Board to help support the Norwell community and beyond.

Inspired by similar pantries in nearby towns and buoyed by the positive community response to the library’s Helping Hands food drive this fall, Breen decided to launch Norwell’s pantry to offer a simple way for neighbors to help neighbors who may be experiencing some level of food insecurity.  The Little Free Pantry is open to anyone who needs it during library hours. Need is determined by the individual and no proof of residence or library card is required. We ask that people take what they need and share when they are in a position to do so. The Little Free Pantry will offer hygiene items in addition to non-perishable food. Breen sees the pantry as just another way the library helps out the community beyond their needs for information, education, and entertainment.

To jumpstart donations, the Norwell Public Library will have a “leaf board” where community members can take a leaf that has an item listed on it. Once the item is purchased, both the item and leaf may be returned and the donations will be added to the pantry. After the initial launch, the library will accept ongoing donations of new hygiene items, non-perishable food, and gift cards to purchase items for the pantry.

The Little Free Pantry is not intended to take the place of other local food assistance programs; rather it is a safety net for those who need it and for those who may not be comfortable using other assistance programs. Any surplus of food will be donated to the Norwell Food Pantry.

Please visit the Norwell Public Library to see our Little Free Pantry and donate if you are able! Thank you for helping us help our community. The library (and pantry) is located at 64 South Street in Norwell, MA. To read more about the Little Free Pantry movement, visit https://www.littlefreepantry.org/ (unaffiliated with the Norwell Public Library.)