PORT RICHEY — A new food pantry at Chasco K-8 Community School is taking a different approach to fighting hunger: Instead of handing out boxes of staples that often go unused, families shop for free, selecting only the items they need.
The pantry, which opened Aug. 18 at the school at 7702 Ridge Road, serves families every Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. No identification, proof of income or address verification is required.
“We give them bags so they can choose only what they want, only what they use, and everything is free,” said Nathan Shocklee, parent coordinator at the school. “Other places give them boxes, but sometimes they get things they don’t like. What I’m trying to do is make it like shopping at Publix for them.”…