A Letter to Our Raymond Community from the Raymond Can-Dos

During the upcoming holiday breaks, many of our local kiddos who count on school breakfasts and lunches won't have access to those meals. We also have families here in our community who struggle with food insecurity every day, all year round.

In order to ease that burden, the Raymond Can-Dos maintain a free food pantry in the Raymond Public Library located behind the Courthouse at 126 Court Street in Raymond. It is open during library hours, 9-6 Mondays through Thursdays and 9-5 on Fridays.

First, we want to say thank you to the businesses, organizations, and individuals who have made the pantry a success this last year. We could not have done this without you, and we are amazed by your generosity!

We also want to give a special thanks to the Raymond Public Library, Head Librarian Tasha Bass, and Library Technical Assistant Kristi Bagwell. The Raymond Library has been a warm and welcoming host to the pantry so that patrons feel comfortable accessing the help they need. They have been invaluable in helping us to collect data about pantry use so that we can keep the pantry stocked.

The Can-Dos are a small, independent group who saw a need in our community and determined to do something to meet it. We began our efforts to address hunger in the Raymond area in November, 2025. Our work has evolved into a small pantry cabinet hosted by the Raymond Public Library. During busy times, the pantry serves 10 to 15 households a day. Because our pantry cabinet is very small, we stock the pantry daily from our storage shelves.

Over the course of the last year, we have learned by trial and error how to best provide support for Raymond families going through difficult times. We rely on tried and true items to keep the pantry stocked. Nutritious, easy to prepare foods that come in small sizes work best.

If you're looking for a simple, powerful way to help your community thrive, we're collecting the items listed below to keep the pantry stocked this through the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays and into next year. You can drop off your donations at the Raymond Public Library or the White Horse Cafe on the Square. We also accept monetary donations. Please contact us at the emails below for details on how to donate.

If you would like to be a regular part of the Can-Do effort and help keep the pantry stocked each week, please contact us at one of the email addresses below.

Thank you for helping us care for our community's children and families during the Holiday Season.

With Warmest Regards, The Raymond Can-Dos Contact Information: Angela Wilson, Wilson39154@gmail.com