UKIAH 8/23/25 – On North Main Street in downtown Ukiah, a small blue and purple pantry sits beside the entrance to the Ukiah Branch Library. Inside are harm reduction supplies along with zines and poetry. But one of its most important resources is nonperishable food.
The Ukiah Branch Library has operated its little free pantry since December. It was built by the Ukiah Valley Friends of the Library, a nonprofit that raises funds for local library programs and services. The pantry has also received harm reduction and safe sex supplies from MCAVHN, a local nonprofit that supports community members struggling with substance use and mental illness.
Megan Wolf, a library assistant at the Ukiah Branch Library, said the food pantry helps people facing food insecurity and gives community members a way to donate excess food. She said she has seen firsthand how the pantry supports people in need.
“We’ve received a lot of words of gratitude from the community about the little free pantry and multiple times we’ve had people leave little thank you messages in the pantry, which I think is really sweet,” Wolf said. “A lot of people have said that it really helped them.”
The Ukiah Branch Library’s little free pantry is open 24/7 for people to pick up food, but community members are asked to drop off nonperishable donations during business hours so staff can sort them. The pantry does not accept perishable items like homegrown produce.
“Things like granola bars, tuna, peanut butter, water bottles and protein shakes,” Wolf explained. “Any stuff that doesn’t require any preparation is ideal, but also people take things like even bags of beans, everyone appreciates it. As long as it’s not perishable, not expired, and not opened, it’s great.”
Wolf, who is earning her master’s degree in library science at San Jose State University, has researched how libraries address food insecurity. She said the idea for the Ukiah library’s little free pantry was inspired by a similar program at a Sonoma County library branch.
“We got the idea from the Petaluma library. This was one of the places I learned about that had a program like this,” she added. “Lots of libraries around the county have programs where they have invited people to bring produce and people come and take it. It’s a great way to prevent food waste and feed the community.”
In addition to the Ukiah Branch Library’s little free pantry, the library is holding a “Produce and Pantry Share” event on the last Saturday of August, September, and October from 2-4 p.m. Community members are invited to bring homegrown produce and nonperishable items to share with those who may not have access to affordable and healthy food.
“We want people to know that it’s not a swap, you don’t have to bring anything but you can just come and get free food,” Wolf said. “It’s going to be really awesome.”
Over in Willits, other little free pantries have been created by local community members to help vulnerable residents. These pantries are called “caring cupboards,” and there are two in the city of Willits.
Wolf said the Willits pantries are not affiliated with the Willits library but are open 24/7 for people to pick up and drop off nonperishable food. One is at Recreation Grove Park on South Lenore Avenue, and the other is on Coast Street near Mill Street.
“Libraries have had an active role in food accessibility for at least a couple of decades. We’ve had a long history of doing this sort of thing, but it’s been expanding over the last 10 years,” Wolf said. “What we’re trying to do with our produce share and little free pantries is part of a trend popping up at libraries around the country. I hope it becomes widespread in public libraries.”
The Ukiah Branch Library is open Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.