“Take What You Need”: Hackensack Teen’s Mini Food Pantries Tackle Food Insecurity Head-On! 

Girl Scout Gold Award Project Brings Accessible, Anonymous Relief to North Jersey Community

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Hackensack NJ, Hackensack High School senior and dedicated Girl Scout, Sylvia Brown, is leading an inspiring initiative to combat food insecurity in her North Jersey community. Taking a cue from the popular Little Free Libraries, Brown is erecting Mini Food Pantries—small, accessible boxes stocked with canned goods, pasta, and other non-perishable essentials—under the motto: “Give what you can, take what you need.”

This powerful project is part of Brown’s pursuit of the Girl Scout Gold Award, the highest and most challenging honor in Girl Scouting.

The Need is Critical: Why Hackensack?

Brown’s vision addresses a chronic and persistent problem in her community. Hackensack is home to 2,788 families reliant on SNAP benefits, making it the municipality with the highest number of SNAP recipients in Bergen County.

Hackensack officials recently held an emergency food drive during a federal government shutdown scare that threatened SNAP funding. Though benefits were restored, the incident highlighted the fragility of food security for thousands of residents.

• Mayor Caseen Gaines’ Support: Hackensack Mayor Caseen Gaines praised Brown’s timing, stating, “What we’ve seen in recent weeks with people’s SNAP benefits really emphasizes the need for addressing food insecurity in Hackensack and the county. It was fortuitous that Sylvia came to us with this idea.”

The city is fully supporting the effort, providing locations and helping to coordinate the program with the city Health Department.

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Anonymity and Accessibility: The Power of the “Mini” Model

The beauty of the Mini Food Pantry model lies in its simplicity and accessibility, setting it apart from larger organizations like the Center for Food Action.

Sylvia Brown explains: “You don’t have to put your name out there or put your address down. You simply drive up, you take it, and you bring it home to your family.”

This informal, peer-to-peer resource offers a dignified solution for individuals and families needing immediate, supplemental support without the traditional barriers often associated with large food banks.

📍 First Location Announced!

The inaugural Mini Food Pantry box will be installed outside the M&M Recreation Center on Holt Street in Hackensack. City officials have confirmed that if this first location proves successful, they will explore expanding the pantries to other neighborhoods across the city.

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How You Can Help This Community-Owned Resource

The Mini Food Pantry thrives entirely on community generosity. It belongs to everyone in the community, relying on neighbors to both contribute and benefit.

• To Donate: Simply drop off non-perishable items like canned soups, pasta, rice, or essential toiletries directly into the box. “A single can of green beans can help,” Brown notes.

• To Take: If you or a neighbor are in need, “take what you need” for your family—no questions asked.

Sylvia Brown’s Gold Award project is a powerful testament to the impact one dedicated individual can have, turning a simple box into a beacon of local hope and mutual aid.

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