It started when Michael saw a news story the Christmas before the pandemic about a city where someone had installed a Little Free Pantry and how it was being used.
One call to his father-in-law "why aren't we doing this" and it was started. Within a week, his father-in-law came to Michael with a fully built little panty. It was cold and the ground was frozen but they were so motivated that they got it placed 2 days before Christmas.
They went to the store and bought some items and filled it up and just thought "let's just see what happens. It could sit in there and rot - or it will go like crazy". Within 48 hours, not only was it emptied, but already filled by other people in the neighborhood.
"That little pantry at 26th & Garfield was like Denver International Airport - people coming-people going-people coming-people going."
They started building more with some grant money - they are about $450 apiece. With tools, time and talent donated.
They know of 43 Little Free Pantries in Lincoln right now. You can find locations at https://www.facebook.com/LittleFreePantriesLNK. There are others that are not reported to Michael.
Watching people coming up and loading up the pantry and then seeing other people coming to get food - it changes you.
Loading the pantry has become a family event. His son started helping when he was 3 or 4 years old. As his son was loading items into the pantry he was asked "what are you doing" and he said "I am helping people". As a father, Michael could not be more proud of his son's response. When someone comes by for food when his son is loading they will thank him and pat him on the back and that feeling knowing you have helped is the greatest reward.
Michael shared a story of a woman who pulled up in a minivan with crying kids in the back. She was able to get food out of the pantry for her family. As his son said "I am helping people".
He shared that during the most recent storm they lost power for days. They lost their freezer full of food - all spoiled. He said he got in his new car, drove to HyVee and just bought more food. Then the question came up - "Why am I so lucky"?
He shared the most needed items - Click here. But he said just think of the things you need - what if a person could not afford those items. He said he has even seen birth control and pregnancy tests among the items donated.
Sharing some statistics in Nebraska
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly food stamps, is intended to assist people as they get back on their feet.
- Charitable organizations along with government programs like SNAP, are both needed to help bridge the meal gap.|
- The SNAP program does have a positive economic impact - $221,960,791 in benefits generates $377,333,345 in economic benefit.
- 46.1% of households receiving SNAP benefits have children.
- 1 in 10 people face hunger.
- 1 in 8 children face hunger.
He stated that right now, for whatever reason, many of the pantries are empty.
When filling the pantry it is important to consider the weather - with the freezing in winter and the heat in the summer. He said that one year he noticed that a couple of days before Christmas, someone put a couple of frozen hams in a lot of the Little Free Pantries. That works great in the winter - not the summer. A jar of pickles may be okay in the summer, but may freeze in the winter.
He also stated that sometimes they get damaged - maybe hit by a car but the biggest issue is the wind. He hopes at some time to a person who will regularly monitor and maintain the pantries.
Clay loaded Michael up with all of the donations from our Club during our recent drive. And he talk a bit with the club about the possibility of setting up a regular program for members to stock the pantries.
BIO:
Michael Reinmiller, AVDude, lives in Lincoln, Nebraska and has worked in digital photography and videography since 2000. His experience has spanned the gamut from capturing weddings to covering local football games.
Michael's passion for people comes across in his work - he's fun to be around and it shows in the smiles of his clients. His ability to adapt and embracae technological changes through the years makes shoots with him up-to-date and professional.