OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — With so many losing their jobs, lots of people need essentials like food. Food banks might be the first option, but there’s another smaller choice that can help too. However, they also need some help with it comes to donations.
“It seems like it gets emptied out every 24 hours,” said Amy Cherko, who has a Little Free Pantry outside her home. The Little Free Pantry is a small pantry that’s open to the public, and it’s stocked with essentials like food.
During a time where so many are in need, it’s an option that shouldn’t be overlooked. “There’s just so many more people out of work or so many people who are in an uncertain situation,” said Cherko.
But Little Free Pantries across the area are running low, including in Bellevue. Monica Battreall, with the Bellevue Housing Agency, has a Little Free Pantry outside her office. She is busy restocking it after seeing those hard economic times play out in front of her.
“We are seeing an increase in change forms of people who are losing their employment, and they have to come here to the office to drop off those change forms, and so when they do that, I feel they are taking what they need at that time,” said Battreall.
Not only is this resource helpful for those without a job, but also for those who may not be able to make it to the grocery store.
If you want to help, start by looking in your pantry at home.
“What do you have multiples of, do you have ten cans of corn or the people who are hoarding all the toilet paper, go throw a couple in those pantries for people,” said Battreall.
“This is a nice way to kind of volunteer or does something to give back that you don’t have to interact with people,” said Cherko.
Both say they will continue to stock the pantries, and if you are in need, don’t be afraid to stop by.
“It’s nice because there is no barrier, no judgment, you come up to a pantry, and you can take it, and you don’t have to necessarily explain yourself or your situation to anyone,” said Cherko.
To see if your neighborhood has a Little Free Pantry, visit this website.
