Girl Scout Troop 35579, inspired by the Little Free Library concept, has constructed a pet pantry for dogs and cats. It is located outside the dog park in Portage’s Woodland Park. Troop leader Karen Naumann from Portage explained that the idea arose due to requests from people struggling to afford pet food. Serenity Nelson from Portage and Heidi O’Bannion from Lake Station built the pet pantry as their Silver award project, which is the second-highest honor in Girl Scouts. They stocked the pantry at Woodland Park on Friday, September 18, 2026.
The troop’s project began with four girls in 2024 but faced a temporary halt due to Naumann’s cancer journey. Two members left before O’Bannion and Nelson saw the project through to completion. Naumann reached out to Barb Lusco, the Portage Parks Department’s maintenance director, for permission to set up the pet pantry at the dog park. Lusco supported the idea, expressing enthusiasm for the initiative.
O’Bannion highlighted the collaborative effort to agree on the project, with alternative ideas such as bat boxes and butterfly habitats considered. The girls researched the project, planned it, and sourced a kit from Amazon to construct the pantry. They used plastic-coated wood to withstand Indiana’s climate, with Naumann’s husband adding a latch to enhance durability. O’Bannion, confident in utilizing tools, remarked on her adaptability, attributing it to being a truck driver’s daughter. The construction took approximately one hour.
On the stocking day, the troop gathered pet food and toys, including tennis balls for dogs and toys for cats. There were leftover items due to the excess supply. Naumann, living nearby, pledged to maintain the pantry’s stock, encouraging people to contribute.
Key members joined the troop at Woodland Park, including Karen Naumann, Maintenance Director Barb Lusco, and Mayor Austin Bonta. Bonta expressed excitement and admiration for the initiative. The girls took ownership of the project, realizing the need and fulfilling it independently.
O’Bannion pointed out the scarcity of pet pantries as a driving factor for their choice. Despite the dog park location, they acknowledged that cats also deserved attention, considering multiple animal types. Nelson humorously dismissed the idea of catering to snakes.
The initiative reflects the scouts’ commitment to community needs and showcases their planning and teamwork skills.