Outside of the First Christian Church on Chapala Street sits a three-drawer metal filing cabinet filled with shelf-stable food, hygienic products, and clothing and shelter items — all free and accessible for anyone to take as they need or donate what they’re able. This would become the first of three “People’s Pantries” placed throughout Santa Barbara.
It all started in early 2021, when Julia Longo picked up a free filing cabinet off Craigslist. She had known about other community-based mutual aid projects in other areas, and she wanted to bring something similar to the Santa Barbara area, especially during a time of isolation throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, when she knew many people were struggling to access resources and basic necessities.
Longo shared her idea on Facebook, which attracted the attention of others who wanted to help. With her co-organizer Alexa Pazell and a mutual friend who was on the organizing committee for the church, they were able to establish a People’s Pantry.