Little Free Pantry opening at the Johnson Public Library in partnership with Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Sylvia Brown

The Johnson Public Library is excited to announce its partnership with Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Sylvia Brown in providing free 24/7 access to non-perishable food items via the Free Little Pantry. The pantry has been installed on the Library’s front plaza. This initiative was led by the Girl Scout herself, with the goal of helping ease food insecurity in the Hackensack community, and is aligned with the Library’s strategic plan to provide residents with the tools that they need to thrive. 

From Ms. Brown:

Hackensack High School senior and Girl Scout Gold Award candidate Sylvia Brown proudly announces the installation of her second community mini pantry at the Johnson Public Library, further expanding her initiative to combat food insecurity in Hackensack.

Building on the success of the first pantry at the Hackensack Recreation Center, this new location increases access to free, non-perishable food items for families and individuals in need, reinforcing the simple but powerful message: “Take what you need, leave what you can.” In partnership with local officials and community leaders, Sylvia designed and coordinated the pantry’s installation to ensure it is accessible, sustainable, and community-supported. The Johnson Public Library pantry represents another meaningful step in her mission to address food insecurity with dignity, visibility, and neighborhood-based solutions. She thanks the Library administration and staff for the sponsoring of this pantry.

The Library encourages our neighbors to share what they are able by placing donated items directly into the pantry. Items should be unexpired and non-perishable. The pantry can be found outside of the Library’s main entrance at 274 Main Street and is available 24/7. The Library Trustees and Staff would like to thank Ms. Brown for her hard work and thoughtful generosity.