Douglaston's Little Free Library Converts Into Little Free Pantry

DOUGLASTON, QUEENS — The "little free library" at Douglaston Station Plaza has turned into a "little free pantry" to help local families stay well-fed during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Douglaston Local Development Corporation on Monday converted its free book exchange into a pantry of non-perishable food items on the suggestion of the group's vice president, Victor Dadras, who saw similar initiatives in other communities.

Dadras told Patch he worried that continuing to share books amid the spread of the new coronavirus, officially known as COVID-19, would do more harm than good. Then, he heard about the growing trend of communities converting their little free libraries into pantries and was inspired to bring the concept to northeast Queens.

"It was a perfect opportunity to temporarily transform something that has been successful to something that's in need right now," Dadras told Patch.

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The Douglaston LDC launched the little free library in June 2019 with a collection of titles donated by neighbors and the groups's executive director, Rebecca Gellos.

Anyone interested in donating food should contact the Douglaston Local Development Corporation for more information.

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