‘Tis the Season: LP Gives “Shed” an All-New Meaning

In recent years, sheds have become popular for uses beyond practical storage solutions, like a place to put holiday decorations during the off-season. You may know them as she sheds, man caves, hobby sheds, home offices and even backyard bars. Whatever your customers' needs, sheds offer multifunctional versatility that can help bring them to life in unique ways.

But sometimes, a shed's function can be the reason for the season, providing a source of inspiration—and food—for an entire community. LP^® Outdoor Building Solutions^®, in partnership with Summit Portable Buildings, recently donated an outdoor structure to serve as a community food bank for a Karnak, Illinois nonprofit last month. Shawnee Development Council, Inc., a community action agency serving low-income individuals and families of Southern Illinois since 1965, was the lucky recipient.

The idea started when AJ Keating, Segment Marketing Associate of LP Outdoor Building Solutions, saw a commercial highlighting the idea of using a shed as a food bank and was inspired to make it a reality. Working hand-in-hand with LP customer Summit Portable Buildings, LP identified Shawnee Development Council, Inc. as the nonprofit of choice.

"So often, the biggest roadblock to helping those in need are the physical resources," says Keating. "At LP, it's important to us that we give back to build strong communities across the country, and this relationship is a perfect example of that. Through this partnership with Summit Portable Buildings and Shawnee Development Council, Inc., we are beginning a long-term charitable partnership that will benefit the local community for years to come."

The shed donation will improve the abilities of Shawnee Development Council, Inc. to serve its community through food donations by providing a main storage facility to be utilized before transporting food to each of its existing pantries in three nearby counties. Specifically, Shawnee Development Council, Inc. provides food to approximately 700 households each month through its pantries, and the donated shed will provide a proper storage facility at its administrative offices-meeting a previous need for the organization.

The introduction of unique sheds to meet unique needs continues to grow, and sometimes all that is needed is just a little inspiration. Click here to visualize all the ways you can use a backyard shed by LP Outdoor Building Solutions, and click here to learn more about LP's commitment to community engagement.