Community members gathered on June 15 for the opening of Casselman’s first Community Mini Food Pantry behind PharmaSave Casselman. (Casselman Free Pantry, Facebook)
Residents gathered behind PharmaSave Casselman on June 15 to celebrate the opening of the village’s first Community Mini Food Pantry, a grassroots initiative aimed at providing accessible support for those facing food insecurity.
The project was spearheaded by Brittany Octeau, manager of the local pharmacy, who first introduced the idea and created the Casselman Free Pantry group to help bring the concept to life. The initiative also received support from Mayor Geneviève Lajoie, who said the creation of a community pantry had been something she had hoped to see in Casselman for many years.
When Octeau approached her with the idea, Lajoie offered to build the pantry and help turn the vision into reality.
The pantry, located behind PharmaSave Casselman, operates on a simple principle: “Leave what you can. Take what you need. No judgment. Just neighbours helping neighbours.” The goal is to provide a judgment-free space where residents can share non-perishable food items and other essentials with neighbours who may need assistance.
According to Lajoie, the project is an example of what can be accomplished when residents, businesses, and community leaders work together toward a common goal.
“What I love most about this project is that it demonstrates what can happen when residents, local businesses, and community leaders work together toward a shared goal,” she said in a social media post announcing the opening.
The mayor noted that while the pantry itself is a practical resource for residents, she hopes it will also serve as a symbol of the generosity and community spirit that characterize Casselman.
“I hope this pantry becomes more than just a box filled with food,” she wrote. “I hope it becomes a symbol of the kindness, generosity, and community spirit that make Casselman such a special place to call home.”
The initiative was made possible through the collaboration of several community partners. PharmaSave Casselman provided a location for the pantry, while volunteers and members of the Casselman Free Pantry group contributed their time and effort to help launch the project.
Residents attending the official opening were encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to help stock the pantry for its first day of operation. Organizers said the response reflected the same spirit of generosity that inspired the initiative from the outset.
Lajoie offered special thanks to Octeau, the Casselman Free Pantry group, PharmaSave Casselman, and everyone else who contributed to making the project a reality.
The Community Mini Food Pantry is now open and available to anyone wishing to donate food items or access support when needed, providing a new community resource built on the principle of neighbours helping neighbours.
