Introducing Our Newest Passion Project: The Bookish Mutual Aid Pantry

Drop off. Pick up. Look out for one another.

I have never directly experienced food insecurity.

But I am not foolish enough to think I “earned” food security.

Circumstances can change on a dime. I’ve simply been fortunate enough to always have enough food at my family’s table.

But at different times of my life—as a kid and then as an adult (with an adorable pint-sized sidekick) making ends meet on my partner’s salary alone—I’ve gotten to the grocery checkout line and realized that I didn’t have enough money for what was in my cart. I’ve sorted through to decide what to put back and what to keep. I’ve felt the prickles of sweat sting my back in low-key panic–becuase my math isn’t all that great when I’m on the spot… and because I just wanted to buy groceries without being on the spot at all.

But I know I was fortunate. We always had enough to eat. Even if we had to forgo some of what we wanted on occasion.

Our nation is in utter chaos right now. The social safety net many of us assumed would always be available has been snatched out from under our most vulnerable. People already experiencing food insecurity. People already in need of help.

We have reached a new level of moral bankruptcy in this nation, one that I thought—before now—completely unimaginable.

Apparently, our government is willing to let people go hungry. To starve.

No.

No. No. No. No. No. No. No.

I am surely angry that people voted this administration into power. And still, those people do not deserve to go hungry.

No one deserves to go hungry. Not ever.

Feed the mothers. Feed the children. Feed the veterans. Feed the disabled. Feed the furloughed federal workers. Feed the people momentarily down on their luck. Feed the people who have never felt lucky a damn day in their lives.

FEED THE PEOPLE.

Food banks and mutual aid folks are answering this call across the United States. Bookish is actively highlighting the work being done in Metro Atlanta to make sure people have access to food (check out our IG @bookishatlanta).

Because food is a right. Not a privilege.

The Bookish staff wants desperately to help families who are struggling. Whether the struggle is completely new to you—because of the chaos caused by the decimation of the CDC or the government shutdown or other life events—or whether you’ve been clinging on for dear life for what feels like forever. We see you. We want to make one thing a tiny bit easier for you.

And so: Bookish is launching the Bookish Mutual Aid Pantry.

What will you be able to find in this pantry? Toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, chapstick, razors, soap, deodorant, advil, tylenol, cough medicine, toilet paper, tampons, diapers. And other lovely, necessary things that strike our fancy.

Why did we pick toiletries?

Because people need to eat. And so many folks are rushing to meet that need. Folks with connections to resources we just don’t have. We are so grateful for that work.

But, in addition to eating, people also have to continue to live their lives. To go to school. To apply for jobs. To go to work. To meet up with friends. We know that most of folks’ available funds will go to rent/mortgage payments and food. Toiletries don’t make the short list when funds are scarce. But they are necessary, too. For practical purposes and for basic human dignity.

And now, as I am prone to do, I will tell you a story: when I was twelve years old—a full seven years before I understood that I am a lesbian of epic proportion—I was obsessed with the very specific fragrance that wafted around my middle school classrooms every time a girl would yank the scrunchie out of her hair to readjust her ponytail. Eventually, I figured out that it was Aussie shampoo (and conditioner and hairspray and….). I was fixated on those girls. I wanted to BE them. Figured it was best to start with the shampoo.

My mom and I were at Albertsons on our weekly shopping trip. A trip where my mom was always, 100% of the time, doing mental math to figure out what we could risk spending and whether or not she could post-date the check so my father’s paycheck cleared before her check to the grocery store did.

We lived in a house in the best school district. A house that we could not comfortably afford. A house that required mental math all the time.

I asked for that Aussie shampoo at the end of the shopping trip. I was hedging my bets she’d be tired and say yes.

I know, now that I’m an adult, that that’s not how it works. There either is or is not enough money.

I’m sure she was tired of never having enough. Of having to say no. Of fielding my disappointment.

My request for a shampoo we couldn’t afford launched a tirade about my ungratefulness. About my blatant consumerism. About… I don’t even know. I was twelve, standing in Albertsons, upset I’d upset my mom, and even more upset that I couldn’t unlock this, the simplest of keys to fitting in.

I am 50 years old. I remember The Aussie Incident like it happened last week.

If one mom can hand her kid a shampoo that smells delightful in every way, if one person stands in a hot shower and deeply inhales the scent of a soap they love, if one person feels valued and seen, respected and loved because they have what they need to make their lives feel softer and easier, then the Bookish Mutual Aid Pantry will be a success.

But let’s be real: we want to do this for LOTS of people. So we need your help.

What we need:

• toothbrushes,

• toothpaste,

• floss,

• shampoo,

• conditioner,

• lotion,

• chapstick,

• disposable razors,

• hand soap,

• bar soap,

• deodorant,

• advil,

• motrin,

• cough medicine,

• toilet paper,

• tampons,

• diapers (all sizes),

• pull-ups

• packs of new kids’ underwear,

• pack of new kids’ socks,

• kids’ mittens and gloves,

• kids’ beanies

Our standard for giving is this: if you wouldn’t use the product yourself (or buy it for your family), please don’t buy it for the pantry.

Starting Wednesday, November 5th, if you’d like to come in and pick up some things from the pantry, just text 404-496-8722 and a staff member will arrange to meet you at the back door to let you in.*

And please tell your friends, neighbors, and folks in your community. Help us get help to the people.

If you’d like to drop off a donation, just stop by the store.

Thank you for being part of this community—whether you need help right now or are able to offer it.

You are loved.

And you are valued.

*We’re launching with a small collection of goods: soaps & bodywash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, cold & flu medicine, pain reliever, tampons, hand soaps, deodorant. We’ll continue to expand our collection in the coming weeks as folks drop of donations and we resupply.