Grier Heights Teen Creates Food Pantries By Sherita Pryer
Photo courtesy of Alexandria Brown
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n the beginning of the pandemic, 17-year-old Alexandria Brown was challenged by a local Girl Scout to spend 80 hours making a difference in her community. Brown noticed a consistency with people walking 20 minutes or driving 10 minutes to her nearby convenience store. Through Brown’s own shopping experience, she knew there were very few healthy food options available. “I’m originally from Washington, D.C., and I lived in one of the most underserved African American communities,” Brown said. “There were convenient stores on every corner, and I noticed that those stores did not sell the healthiest foods.”
Alexandria Brown
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This lack of healthy food choices in her current neighborhood inspired Brown to create Little Free Pantries in Grier Heights. Brown, a Myers Park High School senior who is dual enrolled at Central Piedmont Community College, said building the pantries was quite challenging. “I had to make precise cuts and made sure that every board was in the right place,” she said. “My Dad and Brother helped me build the pantries in secluded areas, therefore they are Covid friendly.” More than 3,000 people live in Grier Heights and 46 percent receive food assistance. The median household income for community residents is under $20,000. Their nearest grocery store is about 1 mile from some Grier Heights locations, making it difficult for residents without transportation to access healthy food. With the help of her family, Brown replenishes the Little Free Pantries bi-weekly at three locations in Grier Heights (Fannie Circle and Gene Avenue, Billingsley and Marvin Roads, and Leroy and Sam Drenan Roads) with non- perishables, canned food, paper goods and other personal items for people in need. People can access items
