Check Out Our Community Food Pantries!

Did you know that the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library (CCJPL) is now home to not only one, but TWO new Community Food Pantries? Manufactured and donated courtesy of Best Manufacturing, library visitors can now access these pantries to receive food and hygiene materials, free of charge! 

These pantries are part of the library’s ongoing effort to support local families and provide vital resources to our community, upholding our Library Core Values of Community, Equal Access, and Service. The library accepts donations year-round to help keep both pantries stocked. 

If you’d like to learn more about our food pantries, or are interested in donating needed materials to make a difference in your community, keep reading for answers to Frequently Asked Questions that provide an introduction to this new resource and how it works!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Where are the Pantries & What’s Inside?

The two pantries are located inside the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library at 315 W Oak Ave in Jonesboro, AR 72401. The first pantry is located at the Security Desk, right across from the Main Circulation Desk, and the second pantry is in the TeenHub Area in front of the Round Room, right outside of the Children’s Library.

Donations can be brought to the Main Circulation Desk during regular service hours. Depending on the types of items being donated, they will be funneled to one of the two pantries:

• Grocery Items like Canned Goods, Dry Goods, and Foods that Require Heating/Preparation go to the Community Pantry located at the Security Desk. 

• Packaged Snacks, Beverages, and other Foods that are Ready-to-Eat right out of the package go to the Community Pantry located in the TeenHub.

• Hygiene Products can go to both Pantries!

How Do I Get Materials from the Community Pantry?

Simply visit one of the Pantries at the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library – a library staff member will assist you in opening the pantry and retrieving items. Patrons may take three to four items at a time to help meet their immediate needs. 

Don’t see what you’re looking for? Ask staff if our other pantry may have what you need stocked! The pantry located near Youth Services is specifically designated for kid and teen-friendly snacks – foods that are ready to eat on-the-spot or on-the-go. Meanwhile, the pantry at the Security Desk contains bulkier groceries ready to take and prepare later, like canned or dry goods. 

There is no ID or library card requirement to qualify to receive materials from the Community Pantries. Items are available to all visitors on a first-come, first-served basis.

We do our best to keep our pantries well-stocked, but as we operate these pantries based on community donations, we cannot guarantee the availability of specific items at any given time. However, you can call CCJPL or ask in-person to see if we have a specific item currently available!

I Want to Donate. What Donations Are Accepted?

CCJPL can accept sealed, nonperishable food donations in good condition. Items must be in unopened containers and within their expiration date.

Here are Several Examples of Accepted Food Donations:

• Bottled, Boxed, or Canned Beverages (Water, Juice, Sports Drinks, etc.)
• Canned Goods (Canned Chicken, Tuna, Soup, Chili, Pasta, Vegetables, Fruit, etc.)
• Dry Goods (Boxed or Bagged Pasta, Rice, Beans, Oatmeal, etc.)
• Individually-Packaged Snacks (Granola Bars, Cookies, Crackers, Fruit Snacks, Chips, Pretzels, Trail Mix, Apple Sauce, Fruit Cups, Pop Tarts, Cereal Cups, etc.)
• Jarred Foods (Peanut Butter, Sun Butter, Jelly/Jam, Pasta Sauce, etc.)
• Shelf-Stable Microwavable Meals in “Cups” (Mac and Cheese Cups, Soup Cups, Mashed Potato Cups, Instant Noodle Cups, etc.)
• Shelf-Stable Baby Food and Formula

CCJPL can also accept donations of Hygiene Products, including: 

• Deodorant
• Toothbrushes
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Lotion
• Face Wash
• Tampons
• Menstrual/Urinary Pads
• Diapers
• Baby Wipes

Helpful Tips for Donations:

• Try to prioritize canned goods with a pull-tab-to-open top for best accessibility!
• Plastic Jars and Bottles are preferred over glass where possible!

Are there any Donations that CCJPL Can’t Accept?

• Alcoholic Beverages
• Perishable Foods (No Fresh Fruit, Vegetables, Baked Goods, Homemade Food, etc.)
• Foods that Would Require Refrigeration or Freezing (No Milk, Eggs, etc.)
• Items that Could Otherwise Pose a Hazard (No Expired, Unsealed, or Opened Food, No Food In Dented, Swollen, Rusted, or Soiled Packaging, No Medicine or Drugs, etc.)

Have something you’d like to donate, but aren’t sure if it’s an accepted material? Give us a call at (870) 935 - 5133 for any inquiries about donating. Thank you for your continued support!