BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - A new community pantry opened this weekend in Birmingham’s Avondale neighborhood, offering free food, gloves, and blankets to anyone in need.

The Planted Pantry sits outside House Plant Collective as a brightly colored box where people can take what they need and leave what they can, similar to a Little Free Library concept.

Founder Madison Johnson said she created the pantry after seeing the government shutdown continue and SNAP benefits at a standstill. She wanted to help her neighbors in need.

The pantry has been open for only a few days, but Johnson said the response has been overwhelming.

“They call it Magic City for a reason. It’s just filled with so much love and so much support,” Johnson said. “A lot of people had the same idea I did of, ‘This is

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