Hunger relief just got a little easier to find in the Seattle area, thanks to a new app developed at the University of Washington that maps the locations of tiny food pantries scattered across the region.

Reported by KNKX Public Radio, the app gives residents a simple way to locate the small, community-placed food boxes — often called Little Free Pantries — that neighbors stock with shelf-stable groceries and everyday essentials for anyone in need. By pulling these informal resources together in one digital map, the tool makes it far easier for people to find food close to home, and for generous community members to identify pantries that may need restocking.

Little Free Pantries have quietly multiplied across Seattle and surrounding communities in recent years, representing a grassroots, neighbor-helping-neighbor approach to food insecurity. The UW app builds on that spirit by adding a layer of technology, ensuring that no pantry goes unnoticed and no person in need has to search too far.

The project reflects the kind of community-minded innovation Seattle is known for — combining academic resources with a practical, on-the-ground need. Whether you’re looking to drop off a few cans of soup or find a meal in a pinch, the app offers a welcoming, judgment-free starting point.

Keep an eye out for a Little Free Pantry in your neighborhood, and consider giving it a top-up the next time you pass by.

Sources: KNKX Public Radio