Demand grows for ‘Cast Member Pantry’

Orlando, Fla. — Update:

Disney cast member Emily Lartigue created the ‘Cast Member Pantry’ over the summer.

In the last few months, thousands of other cast members have lost their jobs with the company due to the ongoing economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Thus, the need for donations of food, diapers, toiletries, and volunteers to help distribute it has grown larger.

The organization allows for furloughed and former cast members in need of groceries to receive food and essentials once a month at no cost. The items come in a reusable bag, and includes food that can make meals for four people.

One volunteer tells me, ‘it’s become a very well organized smooth operation, that is meeting specific needs of people'. She says they gladly accept all donations, but ‘cash is always best, because the pantry may have a lot of one or two items but not others, like diapers for example.’

If you are a former cast member in need, you contact the pantry at CastMemberPantry@gmail.com

If you’d like to help, the Cast Member Pantry accepts monetary donations via Venmo @castmemberpantry

They also have an Amazon Wish List.

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Published October 1, 2020

Current and former employees at Walt Disney World are banding together to help feed thousands of their fellow workers who have or will be losing their jobs.

The Cast Member Pantry, now open in a storage facility in Windermere, is staffed with volunteers helping to keep the shelves full.

In the six months since the coronavirus pandemic began, more than 8,000 people have signed up for food assistance after being laid off or furloughed at Disney parks and resorts. Tuesday, we learned thousands of other Disney employees will soon be joining them.

The group has established a Venmo account and set up an Amazon Wish list for people who would like to donate.

You can find all the donation information on the Cast Member Pantry’s Facebook page or by clicking here

Cox Media Group