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Lindsey Vanous, owner of LNT Seafood in Preston offers more than seafood. She also offers generosity – loads and loads of generosity.
In August 2023, she advertised on Facebook that she had two boxes of left-over free produce. Within 15 minutes it was gone, and 60 people showed up with more need for food. She jumped on the opportunity to help others and started the initiative DID, “Doing It Different.”
LNT Seafood is the distribution point for others’ donations of canned goods, fresh produce, gently used clothing and other living essentials. After COVID she says, "somebody needed to do something and be angry about it, and I was angry. I needed something to restore my faith.” Some people might not have 30, 60 or 90 days to wait for an assistance application to be processed. "Not everyone has a laptop or WIFI or a cellphone, may not even be able to read, write or have a vehicle to get to a county office and then it's just more paperwork, it can be overwhelming.” DID helps those in need immediately.
In front of the LNT Seafood are several plastic storage bins where people can go anytime and collect things they need. If they need food or clothing, they can go inside during store hours and ask for a "DID bag" or a "food bag.” No paystubs or any other proof of need is required. Items will be packaged in a simple brown paper bag and given to whoever is in need. "Some people may just need help this week...or with a couple meals.... maybe your van breaks down and you need a $500 part,” she says, "you shouldn't have to choose between keeping your lights on or feeding your kids.”
When supplies get low, she puts a call out for support on Facebook and within 24 hours there are more donations. When she gets eggs, she will sometimes offer free breakfast to whoever needs a meal. To donate items - just bring them in. She points out to only donate clothes you would let a loved one wear. Unopened baby formula is highly needed for the food pantry. Lindsey will even pay postage to receive cans of donated baby formula.
“Last Christmas and Thanksgiving we served meals to over 200 people at the local firehouse.” Lindsey also coordinates with other support programs like Aaron's Place and Judy Centers. Mackenzie McCabe, general manager of LNT Seafood says, "the happiness we see it brings other people makes us happy. They will cry and say, ‘this is so great, thank you so much.’”
