The Govy Cupboard keeps its neighbors fed, one shelf at a time

By Justin Andress, The Mountain Times

Anyone buying groceries in the Mt. Hood corridor lately has probably done the math at the register and felt a small jolt of alarm. Stacee Lockwood has done that math too.

"Even with being in a supervisory position, there are times when I look at the cost of groceries and other basic necessities and think, 'How on earth is everyone else making this work?'" Lockwood said. "That question stayed with me."

That question became The Govy Cupboard, a free community food pantry Lockwood founded in Government Camp in November 2025. It serves residents throughout the corridor, from Parkdale to Brightwood, offering shelf-stable food, hygiene products, and other basic necessities to anyone who needs them.

There is no paperwork, no income verification, and no appointment required. You walk up, you take what you need, and you go — a self-service system built on the radical premise that hungry people should have adequate access to food.

The idea took root during a hard season for the community. Lockwood says, "many of us found ourselves asking what it really means to care for our neighbors and peers." Around that same time, one of Lockwood’s community came into some extra bulk groceries, and Lockwood happened to be on hand to help package and hand the food out. Right place, right time.

Within a few weeks, delays in food assistance benefits left other locals scrambling to put dinner on the table.

"Those experiences made it clear to me that there was a substantial need in this community," Lockwood said. "What was tangible and actionable to me at the time was the idea that no one should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from."

She is quick to point out that the pantry is far from a one-woman operation. Charlie, of Charlie's Mountain View, donated the lockers that became the pantry itself. Local friends volunteered their time to haul and install them. And today it is the community that keeps the shelves stocked, through food donations, financial contributions, and, as Lockwood puts it, "countless acts of generosity."

"It has become a reflection of what makes living in the Mt. Hood corridor so special," she said, "neighbors looking out for neighbors."

Grocery prices in a resort town run higher than most people realize. Those costs, coupled with seasonal employment, limited transportation, and the sheer cost of living can make it hard to stay ahead. Since the pantry opened, Lockwood said, demand has held remarkably steady. It’s used by local workers, families, seasonal employees, people between paychecks, and folks living out of their vehicles on "the loop" while trying to land steady work and housing.

That consistency tells her something. "Food insecurity isn't a temporary issue in the Mt. Hood corridor," she said. "It's an ongoing reality for many of our friends, peers, and neighbors." Even people working 40-plus hours a week, she noted, sometimes need a little extra help. "That's where we come in."

If there is a bright side to all of this, it is how readily the community has answered the call. Individuals, local businesses, and resort organizations have all stepped up with food, money, and other resources. "The fact that the community continues to support the project is what makes it sustainable," Lockwood said, "and it's a reminder that people here genuinely care about looking out for one another."

Food insecurity, she is careful to add, is not only a matter of empty cupboards. "Sometimes, just knowing your neighbors are looking out for you can truly make all the difference."

Here is where you come in. The Govy Cupboard runs on the generosity of the people who live here, and it needs both food and funds to keep its shelves full. Shelf-stable groceries, hygiene items, and household essentials are always welcome, and financial gifts let Lockwood buy exactly what is running low. Every dollar stays in the Mt. Hood community and goes directly toward food and essentials for your neighbors.

To donate, send financial contributions through Venmo at @govycupboard, and follow @govycupboard on Instagram for current needs and ways to pitch in. Businesses and groups interested in hosting a food drive or becoming regular supporters can reach out through the same channels. It is, after all, a neighborly thing to do.