HOWELL — A vital community resource in Howell has temporarily moved locations as organizers work to find a permanent home.
The Howell Free Food Pantry has moved to a temporary location at the parking lot of the Howell Police Department, near the drive up of the former Huntington Bank, at 611 E. Grand River Ave.
The pantry was established in 2023 and allows residents to both donate and take non-perishable food items and personal care items. It was previously at Howell Summit Gardens, but has temporarily relocated due to the city’s Depot Lot project.
Kristie Guadiano, who founded the Howell Free Food Pantry, told The Daily she worked with the city to pick a location that would allow for anonymity and provide a safe environment. They decided on the former bank building.
“There was perfect lighting, perfect availability to drive up and a good, flat foundation that we could secure the pantry,” Guadiano said.
The new temporary location has worked well so far, Guadiano said. Residents have provided good feedback through social media, she said, and the community has worked to maintain the pantry. High school seniors are also working on it for service projects.
“It definitely is getting a lot of rotation of both donations and use by the community,” Guadiano said.
After the Depot Lot project construction is complete, Guadiano said she and the city will have a deeper conversation about a permanent spot for the pantry.
“We’ve known from the beginning that (Summit Gardens Park) was the first temporary location, now it’s currently at its second temporary location,” she said. “It is exciting to eventually get a new, permanent home that we can make sure is accessible and safe, but still give a little bit of anonymity to people who come through.”
Guadiano started the Howell Free Food Pantry under the premise of “leave what you can, take what you need.” She became involved with food insecurity programs through Howell Public Schools and another charity that provided weekend meals for students.
“During my involvement in that, I saw there is a definite need right in Howell for supplemental food for people in our community,” Guadiano said.
Guadiano and her family donated to similar pantries in Brighton and Fowlerville and worked to establish one in Howell. It received approval from the Howell City Council after about a year of discussions. Donors and sponsors helped get the pantry going and it has since been a community effort, Guadiano said.
“It’s been a service project for people in the community as well as a blessing for the food insecurity that’s prevalent in Howell,” she said.
Guadiano encourages the community to keep donating non-perishable food and personal care items to help others.
“It definitely serves a purpose and a need in our community and has been extremely embraced by many people,” she said.
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at [email protected]. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.
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