Larry Barringer: Bringing Spokane together, one meal at a time

By Rachel Friederich, Serve Washington Communications

In the neighborhoods of West Spokane, one man's commitment to feeding the hungry is creating more than just meals-it's fostering a community built on compassion, dignity, and shared purpose.

Larry Barringer, co-founder of Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, finds joy in ensuring no one in Spokane goes without a warm meal. His tireless efforts to secure food, organize volunteers, and personally deliver meals have transformed Neighbors Feeding Neighbors into a lifeline for many facing food insecurity.

"People can't make good decisions when they're hungry, Barringer says. "Maybe we give them the meal that gives them the strength to make the first decision to turn their life around."

He began collecting and preparing meals for people during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recession, when many communities saw a surge in the number of people experiencing food insecurity. He recruited a group of other volunteers and The Partners Inland Northwest, formerly known as the Spokane Valley Partners Food Bank, began sponsoring Barringer's nonprofit. Barriner estimates Neighbors Feeding Neighbors distributes about 5,000 meals per year.

Ask Barringer about his volunteer service and he enthusiastically describes how he joins his fellow volunteers in cooking and preparing meals and then driving through neighborhoods delivering them to anyone who might need them. They make deliveries to low-income housing complexes. They also offering meals to people experiencing homelessness or addictions. 

Barringer says his passion to serve others has stayed with him all his life, from his four years in the U.S. Air Force to working for 33 years at Lakeland Village, a facility that provides training, education and healthy care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

He has a garage filled with donated food, and his days are spent building relationships, collecting ingredients, and cooking for those in need.

He also provides pet food, toys, and supplies to individuals struggling to care for their beloved animals. On any given day, you might also find him restocking the free pantry outside his home as a member of Little Free Pantry Spokane, who builds standalone community pantry boxes where folks can leave non-perishable food items for anyone who needs them.

Barringer is always ready with a warm meal and a kind word for anyone who stops by.

"I love seeing people eat and getting excited over hot food, because who knows when they last had a hot meal," Barringer said. Feeding people is my passion."

To volunteer with Neighbors Feeding Neighbors, email neighborsfeedingneighborswa@gmail.com