‘I will pay this forward’: Nebraska veteran gives back to domestic violence victims

BENNETT, Neb. (KLKN) — From working logistics for the United States military in places as far away as Africa, to providing clothes for the victims of domestic violence in Nebraska, Lillie Chambers is answering a call to serve.

The mom of three joined the military at age 17 with permission from her parents and retired from the career on Friday.

While in active duty, she decided to start a clothing pantry to help women and children who have experienced abuse, an idea inspired by becoming a mother.

“We were given a lot of hand-me-downs, and then I was blessed with all these toys, clothes, shoes, and coats,” she said, adding that she wanted to do something meaningful with the items. “That was really the start of mom’s pantry.”

Through social media and word of mouth, that pantry evolved.

“We found this amazing bus that was already gutted, and we thought, this is perfect,” said Chambers.

She used an old school bus to store the items donated to her pantry, which is most often filled by the people in her community of Bennett.

The items — consisting of clothes, shoes, household goods, children’s toys, and more — help victims push forward with their lives after turmoil.

Once the bus is at capacity, good Samaritans are encouraged to leave goods on her porch.

Chambers and her husband then move the items into their home, where they are sorted and stored in a spare bedroom before being used to replenish the resources.

Chambers’ good work is not only helping domestic violence victims but also the organizations that aim to combat the abuse as well.

“I know that there are a lot of organizations that help women in need, children in need, and families in need, so they can use us as a resource if they need to stock their shelves,” she said.

The community partnerships she’s made have led to many full-circle moments.

“A lot of families, when I meet them, they’ll take the things and say thank you, but then a lot of them say, you know what, I will pay this forward,” said Chambers.

Chambers has partnered with a fellow vet and mother, Courtney Jensen, to help even more of those struggling by creating a company that aids with tasks she says can disrupt your quality of life when they become too much.

“It just depends on what your situation is, what you need help with,” she said. “Do you need your aging parents to be taken to doctors’ appointments because you live out of state?”

They can also take care of cleaning your basement.

Chambers said she is blessed not only by the support she’s received but also by those who ask for help.

As for what’s next for her new business and overall good works, the bus will be fully offloaded on Dec. 6 at the Bennett American Legion center, where new items will be wrapped up as gifts and given out to those in need alongside a plate of food.