Little Free Pantries offer a way for neighbors to give what they can and take what they need.
Lincoln, NE —The Boys & Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County (BGC) is excited to announce the installation of two new free food pantries. They are part of a Little Free Pantry network in Lincoln that offers a new way for neighbors to give what they can and take what they need.
BGC's newest pantries are located at St. Luke United Methodist Church (16th and Superior) and the Carol M Yoakum Family Resource Center (next to Arnold Elementary School). They accompany BGC's two additional pantries, located at American Legion Park and Cooper Park. A full list of pantries can be found on the Little Free Pantries LNK Facebook page. They seek to address food insecurity, which is a growing problem due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new pantries were built by North Star BGC members with the help of Kingery Construction. Kingery associates showed students how to build, assemble, and paint new pantries this fall. It was a hands-on partnership that allowed students to solve real-world problems. Millard Lumber donated all the supplies for the project.
Anyone is welcomed to take items from the pantry and those who are able are encouraged to pick up a few extra items to add to the shelves when they go grocery shopping. Suggested items for donation include unused and unexpired peanut butter, grains or beans, pasta, cereal, soup mixes, granola bars, tissues, hygiene items, and sanitizing wipes. As colder temperatures approach, items not susceptible to freezing or bursting are encouraged.
"Boys & Girls Club is committed to fighting food insecurity in a lot of ways," says Kimberly Goins, executive director of BGC Lincoln. "Each BGC student gets a hot dinner every day after school. During the pandemic, we distributed thousands of meals to families -- many who were asking for help for the first time ever. Our new food pantries have been another way for our students to address larger food insecurity issues in Lincoln. It's critical that we help support our neighbors who need us most."
Right now, BGC is looking for corporate sponsors that will “adopt a pantry” and help with its upkeep, making sure it stays stocked and in good condition through the coming months. For more information about BGC’s pantries and how to sponsor one, you can contact Marketing & Resource Development Director Claire Shinn at CShinn@lincolnbgc.org.
About Boys & Girls Club of Lincoln/Lancaster County
The mission of Boys & Girls Club is to empower all youth to reach their full potential. The Boys & Girls Club Movement has focused efforts on helping kids achieve in three priority outcome areas of Academic Success, Good Character and Citizenship, and Healthy Lifestyles.
Boys & Girls Clubs work to ensure that all young people have a positive, impactful Club experience and achieve the important outcomes that lead them to great futures. To learn more, visit www.lincolnbgc.org.