On the first day of searching for it, I accidently found myself part of an awesome “Honk As You Drive-by” birthday party. 

On my second day of looking, impelled by knowing that newspapers provide an essential service of getting information to the public, and still safely protected from human contact inside my car, I finally found it: the self-proclaimed Horley Avenue Free Store.  

On a front lawn on Horley Avenue just north of Adwen Street in Downey, stands a table with free treasures for the taking: bottled water, canned goods.  On a red metal cart beside it are a box of Tampax; sanitary napkins; one roll of toilet paper; a package of commercial paper napkins.  

There’s a big sign on the porch, under the wind chimes and the American flag, “If you have need, take one. If you have extra, leave one. PAY IT FORWARD.”

This free put-and-take exchange stand is the brainchild of Barb Sutton.  She provides it for neighbors who can’t get to the store. I had heard about her voluntary generosity from Vicki Spearman, who knows a lot about goings-on in Downey.  It’s an example of the many acts of small kindness right here, right now.

As I was deciding where to leave the letter I had printed out, introducing myself to Barb,  I heard a voice saying, “Thank you.” And there at the front door was Barb herself. She monitors the activity on the front lawn from inside.

How did this put-and-take community pantry come about, I asked her, in our al fresco interview. “About three weeks ago,” Barb said, “I was thinking of those of us who need an item or two but don’t want to or can’t get to the store. Then I thought, what about women who need feminine products?  They are essentials. I can’t imagine not having them.” 

So Barb put a notice on three sites on Facebook: on nextdoor.com; at Downey Community Corner; and on her own site. “Ladies, Please come,” it said.  Since then, she has ordered more products online from Staples Office Supply. 

And then Barb thought, “what else can I do?”  She cleared out her pantry and neighbors pitched in too.  Barb’s Facebook message said, “It is my hope that our pantry grows and I would be open to having it rotate to other streets in our neighborhood – perhaps on a weekly basis.

“My plan,” said Barb’s “is to bring the pantry out daily from approximately 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. I will store items in my garage overnight. If it’s raining, I will leave the pantry in my garage and you can always message me and let me know what you need and I’ll see if we have it.

“I am on Horley Avenue,” she said, “between Arnett and Adwen. As per the CDC guidelines, please practice wiping down items before bringing them into your homes.”

Just then as we spoke, Jean, a neighbor, walked over carrying a plastic sack.  “What’s in the bag,” I asked. “Hand soap,” said Jean. “and canned goods, like beans and fruit. And crackers.  This is the Horley Avenue Free Store.” 

We all laughed.

On the red-brick paved sidewalk, under the table, was a big box of stubby colored sticks, sidewalk chalk.  “That’s for the children,” said Barb, “to draw pictures. It’s good for outlining a hopscotch court too. And,” she said, “I’ve ordered coloring books and puzzles and board games from Amazon.”

How did the neighbors hear about the tables?  “We take care of each other,” Jean said. “We talk every day.  By phone, and walking too.” “Always keeping a social distance,” Barb added.

“People haven’t taken the toilet paper,” Barb said.  “Maybe,” I said, “they think, ‘If I don’t need it, just leave it.’  They’re grateful, not greedy.”

Barb has relocated to Downey only about six months ago, “to be with my fiancé, Randy Elwell,” she said.  “He’s lived here for about 20 years.” The house is a pretty one, with white clapboard siding and a profusion of flowers in raised brick boxes, purple lupine, white daisies and yellow hibiscus.  Roses are in their first big bloom of spring. There’s an Easter basket and a row of colored eggs in the front window, and a teddy bear collection.

“I was living in Huntington Beach,” said Barb, “and I used to be a surfer girl.  But that was years ago. Now I’m really excited to be here in Downey. What I really, really like is the people.” 

Since posting on the Nextdoor app and the Downey Community Corner on Facebook, Barb says, ”Our little pantry is really growing.  What a beautiful community we live in. The people here are such a blessing.”

Both Barb and Randy are still employed, in spite of the crisis. Randy has an essential job in distributing electronics.  Barb has always worked from home for IBM, in administration. Does she miss surfing? “That was a long time ago,” said Barb,” and life got in the way.”

Barb’s final message?  “Be well and stay safe my friends!”

What Downey really really likes is Barb.