Outdoor Food Pantries Built by Lake County Boy Scouts

Rafe Reynolds standing next to one of the outdoor pantries.

Brent Reynolds

Rafe Reynolds standing next to one of the outdoor pantries.

Angeliq Rigby, Reporter

Rafe Reynolds, a sixteen-year-old Life Scout, along with his troop, recently worked together to set up two outdoor pantries in front of American Legion posts in Lake County.  The purpose of the outdoor pantries is to supply free basic necessities and other supplies to anyone that needs it.

The American Legion, a United States war veterans organization, sponsored them and allowed the troop to build their pantries in front of posts 55 and 239. The pantries are located at 1047 W Desoto St., Clermont, and 307 American Legion Road, Mascotte, and anyone can donate. People are encouraged to bring water, non-perishable food, personal hygiene products, and games and activities meant for children.

Reynolds says that he was inspired to do this project by the little free pantry movement, which began in Arkansas in 2016, and has spread around the world.