Two of Norman’s outdoor pantries were refurbished and restocked by 10 members of the Norman Cross Timbers Rotary Club at the end of 2026 and into the 1Q of 2026.
Construction and painting supplies were funded through a community service grant from Rotary District 5770.
The pantries were originally established by the Red Dirt Collective and are located by Mr. Shortstop near Lindsey and SE 12th Street and on Vicksburg St, across from Irving Middle School.
The Collective regularly fills the pantries with groceries. Other food stuffs are donated by churches in the area, Rotary members, and individual citizens to keep the pantries stocked with nonperishable items.
The Rotary grant monies have been stretched by Cross Timbers to stock both pantries with a full grocery haul on several additional occasions, since the renovation was competed.
According to Melissa Klink, President of the Cross Timbers Club, “These pantries are in locations where food insecurity is high. They are used frequently by the unhoused and families who may be struggling to make ends meet.” She added, “Most of the pantries often run low on food a few days after being stocked, if not even the same day.”
Current locations of all the pantries and information on restocking them are updated on the Facebook group: The Pantry Page – Norman.
Klink noted the more popular items to donate are cans (with pop tops, if possible) of spaghetti and meatballs, vegetables, fruit, chicken and tuna. Also, contributions of peanut butter, cereal, microwaveable macaroni and cheese, rice, individually wrapped snacks for kids, applesauce pouches, snack bars, and other unexpired and unopened items are needed.
Cross Timbers Rotary is focused on providing service to the community, while forming lasting friendships and having fun! Persons interested in learning more about the club and its service projects can email us at normancrosstimbers@gmail.com and visit this website, our club Facebook and our club Instagram pages.