Adam and Monica Karell can often be found stocking the shelves of the new Little Free Pantry on West Jeffries Avenue in Burbank.  They come here a lot.

• Burbank couple donated a free pantry to the yard of a local church
• Sign on wooden pantry invites people to 'Give What You Can. Take What You Need.'
• Pantry has made an impact on community with toiletries, clothing and non-perishable food items

"Every day," Monica says, because they're the ones who put it here. 

It all began last year when Adam built a Little Free Library for his wife as a birthday gift.

“It was a huge success," he says. "There’s been over 100 books easily. One kid, about a 10- or 12-year-old girl stopped me and she told me it was a real nice touch to the neighborhood.”

A year later, as Monica's birthday rolled around again, Adam went back into his shop and started building. This time the result was a Little Free Pantry, something she’d also said she wanted.  

“I was really surprised," Monica laughs.

Thinking the box would do the most good in a place with lots of foot traffic, Adam paid a visit to the Little White Chapel.

“Just walked in and asked them," he says. "That was a little awkward.  ‘Hi. I’d like to put a pantry up in your yard.’”

Reverend Bill Thomas remembers the visit and the request well.

“We were out the door looking at spots in about two minutes,” says Reverend Thomas.

The idea behind the box is simple.  It’s even written on the side:

“Give what you can. Take what you need.”

And given how quickly items are taken, there’s a lot of need, more than Adam expected.

“Because you think in a Burbank bubble that, like, everyone is doing great," he explains, "and so to realize that’s not the case is kind of sobering.”

People leave clothing and paper goods, non-perishable food in pop top cans and toiletries – which disappear almost immediately.

Looking in the pantry, Reverend Thomas sees much more than what’s on the shelves. 

“I see an exchange and a community between people that don’t know each other,” he says.

And that’s the real gift Adam wanted to give to Monica – a gift that truly keeps on giving.

“Besides providing a certain item that someone might need," he says, "I hope that it also inspires other people for acts of charity. You know, to make a difference.”

All through a little pantry stocked with kindness and compassion.