Scouts build and donate outdoor pantry house

It took a year to plan and design and two weeks to build. The result was an impressive outside pantry for the Community Cupboard. Boy Scouts Connor Karol and Duke Carrier recently delivered a stout pantry to house food for anyone in need to access 24/7.

"This was my Eagle Scout project," Connor explained. "You need to get a certain number of merit badges to rank up. There are more than 200 merit badges and you need 22 to become an Eagle."

Connor got the idea to build an outside pantry for the Cupboard when he was volunteering at Das Thrift Haus a few years ago. He observed that groceries were being displayed on a black rack on the sidewalk in front of the Cupboard.

"I asked around and concluded that what we were using was not Bavarian themed. I thought I could build something with more storage and that looked nicer," Connor said. "I hoped it would make people feel better about using the pantry."

During the design process Connor met with a City of Leavenworth council member for advice on permitting, which was needed since the pantry would be located on the sidewalk. He also went the extra step of submitting his plans to the City of Leavenworth Design Review Board.

"It wasn't required but I decided to do it for the experience," he said. " Their advice was helpful and resulted in lowering the roof pitch."

Connor, his dad Bryan, and fellow Scout Duke, who lives in Covington, built the pantry on Connor's back deck in the snow. The pantry weighs about 200 pounds. Moving it around the house to the truck in the driveway was the most challenging part of the project, and also where Connor practiced his leadership skills.

"It was the most scary part since if it slipped the entire project would be gone and someone could have been smushed under it," Connor said.

Connor only needs two more badges to achieve his Eagle Scout status. We're sure this enterprising and thoughtful young man will be successful. Thank you Connor for helping us meet the food needs of the Upper Valley and Cashmere with dignity.