Last Monday, the Delmar Public Library held a dedication for its new Heart of the Community Pantry, inspired by the spirit of Tyler Wright. The family of Wright, who died in a single car crash last December at the age of 24, donated to the pantry and were a part of the ceremony.

Delmar Library Assistant Courtney Cooper asked Library Director Jessica Webb to begin a no questions asked” pantry.

“This pantry represents what can happen when a community comes together with compassion, generosity, and a willingness to help one another,” said Webb. “Sometimes a bag of food may seem like a small thing, but to a family going through a difficult time, it can mean so much.”

“We hope they feel welcome. We hope they feel respected. And most importantly, we hope they feel like their community is standing beside them,” Webb said.

The Delmar Lions Club donated funds for shelving and extra food for the pantry. The Wright family saw Cooper’s post a couple months after Tyler died.

“What better way to help who’s came to us in probably the worst days of our lives,” said Shannon Wright, Tyler’s mother. “There is no possible way we could thank everybody for what they gave us. This community meant so much to Tyler. He came to this library as a kid.”

The Wright family reached out to Cooper to be a part of the pantry.

“This is just a little act of kindness for us to give back. He always had a smile on his face. He would want us to give back,” Wright said. “I don’t want to remember that he died. I want to remember that he lived.”

The library staff is maintaining the food pantry and is accepting unexpired, non-perishable food items and toiletries. It is open to people 18 and older who can come in to the library and take what they need.

Donations can be dropped off at the library desk.