BABBITT — When Billie Rouse sits down to eat these days, she thinks about her neighbors who can’t.
“I’ve been a poor kid, and I know what not eating means,” said Rouse. “I got to a place where I felt sick every time I sat down to eat.”
That feeling of urgency, shared by many in the community after sudden cuts to SNAP benefits left families scrambling, sparked something remarkable.
In just two weeks, Rouse, Christina Forsyth, Jo McEwen, and others have transformed a small pantry at the Alder Inn into what they’re calling the Itty Bitty Pantry, a no-questions-asked food resource for anyone who needs it.
The speed of it all still amazes Rouse.
“I don’t know how it happened. It’s been so fast,” she said. “Something was put up on Facebook, and somebody said, ‘Oh, we should do something.’ And I said, ‘Fine. But I’m not a let’s-take-12-weeks kind of person. I’ve got a space. Let’s do it now.’”
And they did.

A pantry with history
The space itself carries special meaning. The building, once owned by the mine, served as the staff house where women in town cooked for the miners. The small room that now holds donated goods was their pantry. The name “Itty Bitty” came naturally. The space is tiny, after all, just large enough for one person to rummage through food items.
But Rouse has been stunned by how much they can fit inside.
“We’ve been amazed at how much food we can store in there,” she said as she opened cupboard after cupboard, revealing more food.

Anonymity
What makes this pantry different is its approach. In a town “with lots of really wonderful, proud folks,” as Rouse puts it, anonymity matters.
“This is as anonymous as you can possibly get,” she said. “There are no cameras. It’s just open.”
People can come and go without signing in, without explaining their circumstances, without anyone watching. The food disappears, but Rouse and her volunteers don’t track who takes what.
“We know that food is gone, but we have purposely done this different,” she said.

Community responds
The response has overwhelmed the organizers. Donations have poured in. They’ve gone beyond canned goods and meat to include necessities Rouse hadn’t thought to request. “Every person who’s come here has different needs. We started thinking, ‘What about women’s toiletries? What about toothbrushes and toothpaste and soap?’” Rouse said. “I can tell you how many toothbrushes we have in there — 45 for children and 15 for adults.” People have brought items for babies. They’ve brought health-related items such a pain relievers. They’ve created an Amazon wish list that’s already being fulfilled.
There are even sardines on the shelf — not something Rouse would have chosen, but it makes her smile every time she sees them.
“I think we’re probably the only place on the planet that has sardines in their pantry,” she said with a laugh.
The volunteers are already thinking ahead. They’re working on creating complete meal kits with recipes and all necessary ingredients attached, so people can grab and go without having to figure out what goes together.
They’re also planning a community share event this Friday from 3-7 p.m., where shares from Ruby’s Pantry will be distributed. But it’s meant to be more than a distribution point.
“I want this to be for the community,” Rouse said. “If you’ve got something, bring something. If you need something and we’ve got it, take it.”
The event will offer free blood pressure checks, coffee, and games. “
Let’s just be a community,” she said.

The urgency remains
Throughout the whirlwind of the past two weeks, one feeling has driven everyone involved: urgency.
“I think knowing what was happening made it even more urgent,” Rouse said. “That’s how we’ve all kind of felt. It’s just urgent.”
The support from the community has been universal. When they needed help with a door, they showed up. When she needed shelves, they were built. The Dollar General agreed to host a donation basket.
“Not one person has said no to anything,” she said.

How to help
The Itty Bitty Pantry accepts donations of non-perishable food items, toiletries, and household necessities. Items can be dropped off at Babbitt Evangelical, 28 Acacia Rd. The office is open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. If those times don’t work, arrangements can be made by calling 218-750-8831. While the pantry cannot accept cash donations as it is not a 501(c)(3) organization, donors can arrange to purchase items on behalf of the pantry. The community share event is Friday from 3-7 p.m. at the Alder Inn.