NJ Girl Scout troop opens food pantry for neighbors in need

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- Members of Girl Scout Troop 97702 in Woodland Park, New Jersey have proudly opened a food pantry as part of their 2024 Bronze Award Project. “It’s something we all had to agree on as a team and we all put our own effort into it,” said member Alana Rusignuollo. The [...]

WOODLAND PARK, N.J. (PIX11) -- Members of Girl Scout Troop 97702 in Woodland Park, New Jersey have proudly opened a food pantry as part of their 2024 Bronze Award Project.

“It’s something we all had to agree on as a team and we all put our own effort into it,” said member Alana Rusignuollo.

The pantry is discretely located behind the Woodland Park Boys & Girls Club on Memorial Drive, and is open 24 hours a day.

“[It’s] somewhere hidden, so people that go to it don’t feel nervous to take something if they need it,” Rusignuollo said.

They hope the pantry is well-loved and well-used, and do not want neighbors to feel ashamed to take from it.

“It’s nice to see that we actually accomplished something that can really help the community in so many different ways,” member Veronica Murphy said.

The pantry is stocked with non-perishable, shelf-stable snacks and meals, water bottles, baby products and period products.

“We thought about food that wouldn’t expire or stuff that could last in there for a long time,” member Caroline Kazmark said.

The troop has a stockpile to dip into when the pantry needs to be refilled and will rely on community donations to keep the pantry going.

Troop co-Leader Christine Murphy is proud of their hard work, she told PIX11.

“It’s great,” Murphy said. “It’ll be here, hopefully, forever. They can come back years from now and say, ‘we did that.’”

If you’re interested in donating or volunteering to re-stock the pantry, please email Christine Murphy at ctbox73@gmail.com.