Painted on its south side is an emblem bearing the words “Harry’s fishers of men” that gives a clue of this free pantry’s unique origin.

Harry is the late Harry T. Armstrong, of Badger. His fishers of men are the middle school and high school members of First Presbyterian Church who built the structure and will keep it stocked with non-perishable foods.

The small free pantry near the intersection of Fifth Avenue North and 12th Street was dedicated during a brief ceremony Wednesday evening.

Armstrong died Oct. 5, 2024.

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea
This little free pantry stands near Fifth Avenue North and 12th Street in front of First Presbyterian Church’s Shalom Center. It was built by middle school and high school members of the church, who will keep it stocked with non-perishable food.

“I wanted to come up with something we could put in Dad’s name that would be very beneficial to people,” said Abigail Kelleher, Armstrong’s daughter and the youth director of First Presbyterian Church.

A little free pantry was chosen as the tribute.

Kelleher got the church’s middle school and high school kids involved.

“I told the kids that they were now Harry’s fishers of men,” she said.

That phrase is derived from a Bible passage in which Jesus exhorts his followers to become fishers of men.

The church youth made the structure over the course of about two weeks. Church custodian Chris Hiddleson put it up in front of the church’s Shalom Center.

On Wednesday evening, Kelleher and her mother, Tammy Armstrong, put a small plaque bearing Harry Armstong’s name on the front of the pantry. The group prayed together, and then the church youth loaded the pantry with non-perishable food.