Norwich ― You do not need a coin to open the white former newspaper vending box outside the Norwich Youth, Family and Recreation Division at 75 Mohegan Road, and it doesn’t contain newspapers.

The Kindness Pantry box on Thursday contained household items such as canned and packaged food, a blanket, diapers, tampons and sanitary pads, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a bottle of shampoo and protective face masks, all neatly stacked on the two small shelves.

The slogan on the pink sign on the top door is simple: “Take what you need. Give what you can.”

And people are doing just that, said Idis Andino, administrative specialist at Norwich Human Services Youth, Family and Recreation Division. The box was set up in February at the drop-off driveway on Mohegan Road. A little free library box mounted on a pole adorns the Reynolds Road side of the building that houses recreation and youth and family services offices and programs.

Andino said both free services have become popular.

“We have had so many families come up and say, ‘what is this?’ she said. “We are always accepting donations.”

Norwich Human Services staff monitor the pantry box, making sure it is well stocked. The department has a closet inside the building if people bring a large quantity of donations or items too large for the box. As the supplies in the box dwindle, staff reloads.

Diapers and hygiene products are especially popular, she said.

The Youth, Family and Recreation Division also has started a sports equipment collection and loaner program, called Idis’ (pronounced Eedie) Equipment Locker. The program accepts usable items, such as cleats, tennis rackets, baseball and softball gloves for children enrolled in recreation sports programs.

“So many kids in the city have not been able to experience sports, because they don’t have the equipment,” Andino said.

The locker aims to provide youths in need with equipment for any recreational sport offered by the city recreation program, Andino said.

For information about the programs or to donate items for the Kindness Pantry of Idis’ Locker, call the Youth, Family and Recreation office at (860) 823-3791.

c.bessette@theday.com