Evan's Garden Library & Community Pantry
Evan's Garden Library & Community Pantry was started by 7 year old Evan in 2020 when Covid restrictions first began in NSW. Evan was at high risk of Coronavirus, because of his asthma - and so was sent home from school earlier than other students.
To occupy his long days at home, Evan built a garden in the front yard with his dad and wrote inspirational messages in chalk art on the pavement in front of his house. He also sorted his books and decided to offer them to the local community through a small book shelf on the street. Evan's little street library & garden took on a life of its own; his neighbours started donating books, plants, seeds, soil, garden fertiliser, chalk, painted rocks, cuttings and homegrown fruit. People also left beautiful notes and gifts to thank Evan for his kindness and generosity.
The garden became a place for people to share books, DVDs, plants and home produce. During the school holidays, Evan and his parents ran activities swapping board games, puzzles and craft packs for local children. A community pantry was added during Sydney's lockdown, followed by food hampers for families doing it tough, with local community donating food and essential supplies for the hampers and volunteers stepping up to help coordinate distribution. Local charities have also partnered to help coordinate the support. With the motto Take what you need, Give what you can, Evan's Street Library and Pantry has bought the community together and there is now collective ownership of the project.
Evan's project has led to beautiful friendships between locals and a growing sense of community. In 2020 the project was named Australia's Street Library of the Year and it has bought so much joy, kindness, inspiration and community spirit to the community.
Evan has been making cooking videos to brighten the day of people in lockdown and in August 2021 the project partnered with Kindness Pandemic to inspire others to set up their own Garden Library and Community Pantry.
To occupy his long days at home, Evan built a garden in the front yard with his dad and wrote inspirational messages in chalk art on the pavement in front of his house. He also sorted his books and decided to offer them to the local community through a small book shelf on the street. Evan's little street library & garden took on a life of its own; his neighbours started donating books, plants, seeds, soil, garden fertiliser, chalk, painted rocks, cuttings and homegrown fruit. People also left beautiful notes and gifts to thank Evan for his kindness and generosity.
The garden became a place for people to share books, DVDs, plants and home produce. During the school holidays, Evan and his parents ran activities swapping board games, puzzles and craft packs for local children. A community pantry was added during Sydney's lockdown, followed by food hampers for families doing it tough, with local community donating food and essential supplies for the hampers and volunteers stepping up to help coordinate distribution. Local charities have also partnered to help coordinate the support. With the motto Take what you need, Give what you can, Evan's Street Library and Pantry has bought the community together and there is now collective ownership of the project.
Evan's project has led to beautiful friendships between locals and a growing sense of community. In 2020 the project was named Australia's Street Library of the Year and it has bought so much joy, kindness, inspiration and community spirit to the community.
Evan has been making cooking videos to brighten the day of people in lockdown and in August 2021 the project partnered with Kindness Pandemic to inspire others to set up their own Garden Library and Community Pantry.
How to set up your own Garden Library and Community Pantry
Hello, I'm Jennifer - Evan's mum. Here is our tip sheet for setting up your own Street Library and Community Pantry. We are happy to answer questions or give more tips:
- Contact us via Evan's Garden Library & Glenwood Community Garden Facebook page (here)
- Contact us via Instagram at: evans_garden_library
Garden Libraries and Community Pantries
If you set up your own Garden Library and Community Pantry, please share a photo with us and tell us where you are from - so we can share this information below for people who are looking for one in their local area. Check our contact details below - and click on the images to go to the Facebook page for each project.
Evan's Garden Library & Glenwood Community Pantry, Glenwood NSW
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Australian Street Library of the Year 2020
Contact details
- Evan's Garden Facebook Group link here: https://www.facebook.com/evansgardenlibrary/about
- Evan's Garden Instagram: evans_garden_library
- Kindness Pandemic: info@thekindness pandemic.org
