The original Community Cabinet was established in 2020 by Katie Tobias and her husband, Jeremiah, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the need for activities to keep children engaged while they were homebound, they initially filled the cabinet with puzzles and games for parents to take to their kids. As the initiative grew, Katie and Jeremiah identified a greater need for food and hygiene products within their community, prompting a shift towards providing essential items for those in need.

In August 2021, Olyvia Saxton and Rachael Sierakowski joined Katie Tobias State Farm and witnessed firsthand the community's needs and how the cabinet was making a difference. They realized that the cabinet needed to be expanded, as its original structure was no longer adequate to serve the growing demand. Over time, the cabinet faced several challenges, including insufficient storage for food, a broken door, and an ant infestation. In response, Rachael and Olyvia proposed the idea of building a new Community Cabinet and created a Facebook page to raise awareness and support for the initiative. They also focused on sourcing food and other essential items.

On February 26, 2022, Olyvia and Rachael participated in the United Way of Gratiot and Isabella Counties' annual “Pitch-er This!” competition, which encourages youth to propose community improvements. They entered their Good Neighbor project, aimed at expanding the Community Cabinet, which at that time was simply a standing structure outside Katie Tobias State Farm. The cabinet operated on the principle of “take what you need, leave what you don’t, and donate if you can.” The community has consistently supported the cabinet, which remains an unmonitored resource, allowing individuals to discreetly access what they need. Their presentation earned them $5,000 to enhance and expand the cabinet and transform the surrounding green space into a pocket park for community gatherings.

We are grateful to the organizations that contributed their time and resources to help build the cabinet, pour concrete, and construct tables. We have ambitious plans for future expansion of the space. The increased donations over the years have necessitated converting our board room at State Farm into a food pantry to accommodate the generous contributions. One key to the cabinet's success is its autonomy and 24/7 accessibility, ensuring that no one in need is ever turned away. The cooperative students at State Farm dedicate time to clean, stock, and maintain the cabinet. While we do not track the number of individuals served, the cabinet is continually replenished and provides assistance to those in need every day.

Over the years, the Community Cabinet team has welcomed many high school cooperative students who play a vital role in keeping the cabinet maintained and stocked. Each student carries a piece of the cabinet with them as they graduate, and they all attest to the profound impact the cabinet has had on their lives, as well as the valuable lessons they learned through their experiences.