BATAVIA – Eight Girl Scouts from Louise White School Girl Scout Troop 1675 opened a Free Little Pantry on July 7 at the Unity of Fox Valley Church, 230 Webster St., Batavia.

According to a news release, the pantry houses non-perishable foods and toiletries, and is part of a similar movement to create small pantries across the country.

The fifth-grade girls put in 20 hours of work for the pantry toward the Girl Scout Bronze Award, which is a project that encourages girls to work toward making a positive difference in their community, the release stated.

The girls wanted to do the pantry because of additional challenges families are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic. People are encourage to take what they need, and leave what they can. Anyone is welcome to use the pantry and to make donations.

"We asked parents. teachers and other members of the community for their opinions on what was needed in the community.  That helped us narrow down our options. Then we held a vote and the micro pantry won," said Sienna Lux, 5th grade student at Louise White School.

The scouts who participated are Alexandra Angelov, Rachel Carlson, Sienna Lux, Olivia McKay, Maeve Newman, Emily Ozsvath, Lindsey Perez and Munroe W.

More information can be found on littlefreepantry.org and the pantry's Facebook page "Webster Street Micro Pantry."