My Brother's Keeper Pantry

KINGSTON — Author Catherine Pulsifer once wrote, “People appreciate and never forget that helping hand, especially when times are tough.”

Last year, Danna and her husband, David DeShazer, saw a need and got to work on a community food pantry that they named “My Brother’s Keeper Pantry.” This term refers to the Biblical story of Cain and Abel from the book of Genesis. It is generally understood to mean being responsible for the welfare of a brother or sibling and by extension, other humans in general.

The pantry is built out of a large refurbished cabinet where people can come by and either drop off or collect non-perishable food items.

“The Silver Valley community has really supported us in doing this. The first three months we didn’t have to buy anything because we kept getting donations. We really appreciate the community supporting us in feeding their neighbors,” Danna said.

Most community members using this food pantry live in a camper, hotel room, or another situation where they don’t have a full kitchen, so the couple asks that when donating items to be aware and find more easy-to-prepare, microwaveable non-perishable meals.

“We started stocking the pantry with some of the staples, spaghetti, boxed macaroni and cheese, and fruit cups, but we also began stocking it with non-perishable, non-frozen microwaveable dinners.”

Canned food like Chef Boyardee ravioli or SpaghettiOs is also recommended and a popular option with the young children who come by with their families. With all food that is donated, it’s important that the expiration date is checked and the food is not expired.

To prevent giving food that is expired, the couple asks that the food items be donated in the orange bin that sits on their step so they can look it over and check the expiration dates.

“If people put food directly into the pantry, it’s harder for us to track and manage. It also helps us track the perishable food like bread and frozen vegetables that we can’t keep in the outdoor pantry. When we get perishable food, we take it to another pantry or food bank so it doesn’t go bad.”

The pantry is not intended to take the place of a food room but to give people a private and anonymous way to get their family through to their next meal.

Danna explained that they have also received donations like dishes, pots, pans and silverware, which are appreciated but not needed.

“We take those items to the thrift store because that’s not what we do. And many of the people who use this food pantry don’t have a full kitchen for those items. We are looking for non-perishable, non-expired food.”

The DeShazers would like the Silver Valley community to know that if someone lives in Osburn or Wallace and is in need of food, call them at 817-793-6584.

“We want the people to be able to get the food, and we don’t care if we have to go out of our way to make it happen.”

My Brother's Keeper Pantry is located at the beginning of French Gulch Road in Kingston and is open to anyone in need 24 hours a day.