HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – Crofton native Chrissie Johnson has transformed her little free library at Gordon Park into a food resource for families during the government shutdown and beyond.

“We take care of each other. For me personally, my faith informs everything I do.” said Johnson. Since 2019 she has kept the library maintained and stocked with books for all ages, but she transformed it into a miniature food pantry for the community as federal workers stopped receiving paychecks and SNAP benefits were cut. It is currently being stocked by donations from residents and from Chrissie and her husband.

However, this is not the first time she has used the library as a food pantry. Amid the COVID lockdown, she kept it stocked with food items along with essentials like toilet paper, laundry detergent, and soap.

“I knew the need was going to be even greater than I’d initially anticipated,” she told Christian County Now. “But I remembered how generous the people of Crofton had been with it during COVID, and I knew I’d have no trouble stocking it and keeping it going, regardless of how long it would be needed.”

Extending pantry past the shutdown

The bulk of the anonymous donations they have received for the pantry including canned goods and non-perishable items like rice, seasoning, and kids snacks along with fresh fruit.

Although it seems like a resolution on a federal level may be reached soon to end the historically long government shutdown, Johnson plans on keeping the pantry stocked with food through the end of the year or longer if needed.

“Families will be trying to catch up on rent, bills, and food, on top of trying to make sure they can afford gifts for the holiday season. Every bit of help that the food pantry can provide will be one less worry that families have to juggle until they’re back on their feet,” she said.

She encourages the community to continue giving however they can and foster positive connections with their neighbors. The little free library can be found at Gordon Park at 13735 North Old Madisonville Road for anyone dropping off or seeking donations.

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