There is a pair of new white cupboards outside near the City Hall in Otho.

One is filled with DVDs and books. The other is filled with canned goods and other non-perishable foods. Neither of them is locked, for that would defeat the purpose of the community’s new Little Free Library and Little Free Pantry. Both of them were set up by the Otho Betterment Committee recently.

The Little Free Library concept has been around for awhile and outdoor cabinets full of books have been cropping up throughout the Fort Dodge region. People can stop by one and grab something to read at no charge. And those who have books they don’t want anymore can put them in a Little Free Library for others to enjoy.

A Little Free Pantry is not quite as a common as the libraries have become. but it operates on the same principle. Anyone who needs some food can get some at the pantry. And anyone who has extra items and wants to help their neighbors can place that food in the pantry.

The Otho Betterment Committee, led by President Missy Ewing, deserves credit for deciding to bring the free library and pantry to the community.

The committee got a nice assist from Larry and Lynn McBride, of Coalville, who are Ewing’s parents. They manufactured the cupboards at no cost to the committee.

Early reports are that the library and pantry are getting some use. New items have been coming into the pantry and it is good to know that people are helping their neighbors by stocking it with food.

The town motto in Otho is “Friends and neighbors working together.” The new library and pantry exemplify that motto.