Local nonprofit bringing free ’emergency kits’ for moms in need to vending machines across Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The local nonprofit, Baby & Me, put together emergency kits for mothers in need on Monday.

The kits consist of diapers and wipes, all to make sure parents facing a sudden shortage have somewhere to turn.

“We’re really excited to be able to help those who might be getting off a train, or getting out of the hospital or the Health Department,” said Danielle Garcia, the founder of Baby & Me.

According to Garcia, demand has only increased in the capital city.

After noticing how steep prices were getting, she decided to expand their outreach.

The organization collaborated with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department to place diapers and wipes in a readily accessible location.

“We don’t know everyone’s situation,” Garcia said. “So we decided to put these in the vending machines, and we found that 81 packages were taken in one week. That’s pretty high. Even the Health Department said they didn’t expect that.”

SEE ALSO: Three Lincoln women work together to stuff a truckload full of items for moms in need

One of the best aspects of the emergency kits is the anonymity.

The anonymity helps to meet parents where they’re at and make sure a difficult day doesn’t become an impossible one.

“It’s nice to be discreet. It doesn’t give any demographic data, it just asks for your area code and maybe your gender, and it’s free,” Garcia said. “So people are like ‘wow it’s free.’ They don’t have to buy it, so that’s really exciting for those that don’t have the opportunity to go to the grocery store to spend money, especially nowadays.”

SEE ALSO: Health department installs fifth ‘HealthToGo’ vending machine in Lincoln

The emergency kits are located in the ‘HealthToGo’ vending machines across Lincoln:

• Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department, 3131 O St.
• Carriage Park Parking Garage, 1128 L Street — northeast corner of 11th and L streets, ground level next to the bike racks
• F Street Community Center, 1225 F Street
• Union Plaza, southeast corner of 21st and P streets.
• Elaine Hammer Bridge, N 27th Street bridge, between Apple and W Street