312Pantry
A small donation.
A big impact.
About
Our goal since the beginning was to be able to combat food insecurity with community, and we stuck with our roots when we created 312Pantry. 312Pantry was first conceptualized as a resource app dedicated to connecting users with excess food to different food donation resources, namely mini pantries and community fridges. As the 312 in its name implies, the app is focused primarily on connecting users to pantries in Chicago. In October of 2021, the app expanded to also cover Chicago food banks.
Take what you need,
leave what you can.
Take what you need,
leave what you can.
Features
F.A.Q
How do I create my own mini pantry?
If playing around with 312Pantry's AR feature inspired you to build your own pantry (or you just really want to make one for some other reason), then you're in luck! Here's how to make your own mini pantry.
- Make sure you have the proper permit. If you own the property you wish to build the pantry on, then you should be in the clear—however, it doesn't hurt to check!
- Make sure your pantry is visible. Put your pantry out in the open where people can see it. As a rule of thumb, front yards are a great location.
- Make a pantry. This video is a great guide to building a traditional wooden pantry. Please note that there are no rules to making your own pantry—you can be as creative (or uncreative) as you'd like with the materials you'd like to use! Check out littlefreepantry.org's gallery for inspo.
- Give your pantry a name. The funner, the better!
- Upload your pantry to the 312Pantry app so that more Chicagoans know about it. Use 312Pantry to spread the word of your mini pantry!
What can I donate to pantries/fridges/food banks?
Although all of these places are mostly associated with food, personal hygiene products like pads, tampons, deodorant, soap, etc make for the perfect donation!
If you donate food to a food pantry, do not donate perishable items. Non-perishable items (like the ones on this list) are perfect for pantries. Make sure any items you donate are SEALED for the safety of the individuals who visit the pantry.
If you donate food to a food pantry, do not donate perishable items. Non-perishable items (like the ones on this list) are perfect for pantries. Make sure any items you donate are SEALED for the safety of the individuals who visit the pantry.
So, why should I download 312Pantry?
Unlike other resource apps, 312Pantry's focus is primarily on community fridges and mini pantries: both important resources that many- those who are food insecure and those who simply wish to donate alike- could benefit from, but know little about due to the lack of platform provided to them.
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Team
Katharine Bonilla
Developer & Designer
Used natural language query and customized floating panel for the app's map. Designed app screenshots for the Apple App Store.
Brenda Coronel
Developer & Designer
Coded the "Found" page of the app implementing Firebase for users to upload new pantries and fridges.
Grace Dai
Developer & Designer
Designed the website and researched food insecurity in Chicago's neighborhoods.
Leona Meharenna
Developer & Designer
Designed and coded the app's onboarding screen as a tutorial for users and the tab bar, allowing users to navigate through the app.
Nicolas Sampson
AR
Designed and created the AR model for the "Pantry Builder" tab, where users can visualize their own pantry.
