Brunswick County woman keeping food pantry open after being ransacked

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — With the government shutdown ending, many are hopeful things will get back to normal for millions of people who rely on SNAP benefits to feed their families.

A Brunswick County woman recently started a food pantry outside her home to help people in need, but it was vandalized.

Dawn Allen began her pantry several years ago, first offering toiletries and hygiene products for anyone to take.

Once the federal government shutdown started affecting SNAP benefits, she began stocking food items as well.

While it’s open to anyone in need, Allen said that when she checked it early Wednesday morning, she noticed the pantry had been ransacked.

She found bent cans, cans with missing labels, and a basket that sat next to the pantry with socks, gloves, and hats in it had been stolen.

Despite this, Allen said she plans to continue keeping the pantry open as long as it’s needed.

“This is not going to stop me from doing the work that I know needs to happen in this community,” Allen said. “I’m not going to let one bad egg ruin the whole, ruin it for everybody else. This community is amazing and a few bad apples are not going to ruin it.”

Allen said she’s always been motivated to help others in need, even as she struggles to make ends meet.

If you would like to donate items or visit Allen’s pantry, message her on Facebook.