As a single mom at one time in her life, Kate Glass understands the struggles to keep a family fed.
“I was a single mom for quite a few years,” Glass said. “I was going to nursing school and I had to use food pantries for my family. Things happen and you have children you have to feed. Now, I’m in a place where I can help those people.”
Glass is helping by having a Little Free Pantry installed at her Papillion home at 307 Hogan Drive. The pantry serves a quick fix for families who might need some help getting through a day or a weekend. People are also encouraged to place items into the pantry for others to use.
“We’re in Papillion and there’s this stereotype that everyone in Papillion has money and you wouldn’t think there would be a need,” she said. “But I talk to new families and there is a need out there.”
Little Free Pantry began popping up in the metro area in April, thanks to the efforts of Vicki and Steve Holcomb.
There are a dozen pantries in use across the area with several more ready to go.
“There was definitely a need for this,” Vicki said. “Food pantries only keep certain hours and they make you show social security numbers and financial information and we want the Little Free Pantry to be something that has no shame attached. It’s made to be a stop gap if you need something to get you through a few days if you’re struggling.”
Vicki said many of pantries have been immediate successes.
“Some of them we can’t keep stocked fast enough,” she said. “That’s why we’re looking for sponsors to help keep them filled.
“The need has been crazy. We’re always looking for easy to fix items like Easy Mac or Ramen. And Pop Tarts are great for kids.”
Each pantry costs about $200 to $250 to construct with Vicki and Steve doing the majority of the work. They have enlisted the help of some local artists to spruce them up before they go in a yard.
Glass said the convenience of the pantries is appealing to families and individuals.
“Pantries keep different hours and if you are able to work, you might not be able to get there during those times,” Glass said.
Glass and her husband, Howard, are responsible for keeping the pantry filled, but are receiving plenty of help.
The Holcombs have provided them with numerous canned food items and Glass said. many people have already reached out about helping keep the pantry stocked.
Along with standard pantry items, Glass has tried to include other items like baby food, toothpaste and single-serve snack items for children.
Glass has had her pantry in use for about a month and she said activity has started to pick up over the last week.
“I think people love it,” she said.
Vicki said she his grateful for people like the Glasses who have opened their arms for these pantries.
“We didn’t even know these people and they contact us and are willing to put one in their yard,” she said. “I think it’s a way for people to give back.”
