People convert book-sharing libraries into mini food banks during coronavirus

Pasta, peanut butter and packets of ramen are replacing shelves of books in Little Free Libraries across the country amid the coronavirus outbreak. 

The free book-sharing libraries are being converted into mini food banks with nonperishable goods available for those who may be in need as the pandemic presses on. 

Twitter users shared images of mini food banks popping up around the country, each offering a variety of goods available for others to take. 

In some cases, the libraries have notes asking community members to take what they need and leave what they can. 

Seen in my Chicago neighborhood.

Sign says “To help our neighbors affected by the COVID-19 crisis, this Little Free Library is converted to a Little Free Pantry. Take what you need and if you can, please donate what you can spare!” pic.twitter.com/HtrUHNv9BG

— Ashley Hamer (@smashleyhamer) March 18, 2020

Our little free library has turned into a small food pantry! If you need anything, please stop by @roepanther A big THANK YOU to our community as we help those in need. pic.twitter.com/8eKSeugZic

— Roesland Elementary (@roepanther) March 16, 2020

On behalf of Little Free Pantry

This is our RCA Park pantry. We can’t leave this food out for long, so before we go to take the door off and make repairs we would love to see it go to good homes. Come and get it!
2024 S Bernard Dr, Bloomington, IN 47403 pic.twitter.com/wNshY7g9p0

— No Space for Hate Bloomington (@nsfhbtown) March 16, 2020

Somebody stocked the Little Free Library in my neighborhood with food ❤️ pic.twitter.com/JV1mpvnBzy

— Matt Wood (@woodtang) March 17, 2020

my parents made their Little Free Library into a mini food shelf so that’s pretty cool :’) pic.twitter.com/u05h1Dym3b

— Natalie Kissell (@natalie_kissell) March 17, 2020

Our little town in the middle of nowhere has a few boxes around town for free books. Kind of a take-a-book-leave-a-book thing. Basically free books for peeps around town to have/borrow/keep.

Today, those boxes look like this: pic.twitter.com/P7L3CEDfXw

— Chris Field (@ChrisMField) March 18, 2020

In addition to food, paper goods such as toilet paper rolls, which are selling out in stores across the country, are being shared in some of the free pantries.

My family has some spare toilet paper so we decided to share some in the Little Free Pantry outside my work. I figured it was something small I could do. I hope it helped someone. #dogood #ToiletPaperApocalypse pic.twitter.com/kEonbzQwtH

— Caffeinated Fae – Book Blogger (@CaffeinatedFae) March 13, 2020

The global pandemic is causing states across the country to put in place mass closures, including shutting down schools as well as bars, restaurants and entertainment venues.

More than 7,300 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in the U.S., according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. The death toll in the U.S. rose above 100 on Tuesday.