Jill Sirrico, a Portsmouth Resident, high fives Kateri’s children as she drops off canned foods with her children for the pop up pantry!

A new 24/7 pop-up food pantry opened Sunday at the Leonard Brown House, providing immediate access to food and essentials for island residents facing food insecurity.

The Four Hearts Foundation, in collaboration with Newport Living Group, launched the pantry at 121 Linden Lane to support community members experiencing financial hardship.

Kateri Buerman, founder of the Four Hearts Foundation, and Candace Sandman of Newport Living Group spent Sunday setting up the pantry on the porch of the historic Leonard Brown House. The location was made possible through Portsmouth Parks and Recreation.

The pantry offers non-perishable food items, canned goods, snacks and other essentials available around the clock for anyone in need.

“We believe in doing as much as you can, as often as you can,” Buerman said. “Our community needs to know that we’re here for one another. You are never alone, and this pantry is just one more way to show that we all care about each other.”

Community donations made the pantry possible, and organizers are encouraging continued contributions of non-perishable items, toiletries and other essentials. Donations can be dropped off at the Leonard Brown House at any time.

“We hope this food pantry is a small but meaningful way to provide some relief to our neighbors who are struggling,” Sandman said.

The organizers reported a successful first week and expressed gratitude for community support.

For more information or donation inquiries, contact Fourheartsfoundation4@gmail.com.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...