A “Little Free Library” and “Little Free Pantry” is now open at the Ascension Lutheran Church on Germantown Road.
According to church officials, unlike public libraries, the little free library charges no fees, requires no registration, and is available 24 hours a day. Little Free Pantries are small food pantries stocking a limited number of staple foods which anyone may take when they are in need. Unlike larger food pantries, the Little Free Pantry is intended to solve a small immediate need for food. It does not address larger needs or replace traditional food pantries or food programs. It also asks no questions and has no requirements to prove need. It is also “self service” and available 24 hours a day.
According to Pastor Jeff Crim, Ascension Lutheran Church hopes that the library and pantry will become a valuable asset to the surrounding neighborhood and provide a gathering point and a place to meet neighbors. The church has taken responsibility for constructing the pantry and library as well as stocking an initial supply of books and food. While donations from the church will continue, it is hoped that people from the community will make donations as well. Donations can be made simply by placing books or non-perishable food in the library or pantry respectively.
In an email, Pastor Crim wrote, as Christians generally, we recall Jesus’ words in the 25th Chapter of the Gospel of Matthew: “…for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink… Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” As Lutherans specifically we remember that Martin Luther devoted quite a bit of space in both his Small and Large Catechisms to the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread.”
Among other things, he stated: “For when you mention and pray for daily bread, you pray for everything that is necessary in order to have and enjoy daily bread and, on the other hand, against everything which interferes with it.” We sincerely hope that this library and pantry help in getting food to our neighbors who are hungry and will act against whatever prevents our neighbors from having daily bread.”
Founded in 1913, Ascension Lutheran Church is the oldest congregation of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in the Chattanooga area. The ELCA is a fellowship of over four million baptized members and is one of the largest Protestant churches in the United States.
