‘There’s a serious need’: Little Free Pantries see increase in demand as temperatures rise

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — It’s not just the heat index that’s rising in Lincoln, it’s also the demand for help.

Across the city, Little Free Pantries are running low as more and more people rely on them during the dangerously high temperatures.

“We just stuffed this one now and I’ll bet you it’s gone by 3 o’clock easily,” Michael Reinmiller said. “Schools out so those kids aren’t getting those free lunches and free breakfasts. Most of them are empty, I’ll bet you a large sum of cash that most of them are empty because there’s a lot of need right now. And with the heat, we have to be cognizant of what we’re putting in. Like, a pound of ground beef is a bad idea right now.”

Reinmiller is one of the founders of the Little Free Pantries.

He said he tries to fill them at least twice a week but it’s not nearly enough.

“I’m fighting a losing battle keeping them full so if anybody’s willing to step up and help out stuffing a pantry, there’s a serious need,” he said. “I don’t know if you can tell but this one in particular, the ground is worn down because it gets used so much. People filling and people taking so it’s a cool community we have here, that cares for each other.”

He said they try to meet every need for families, but the weather makes it even harder.

But they are trying to think outside the box.

“We have to put specific items in that are resistant to heat like cereal or feminine hygiene items,” he said. “Stuff that isn’t going to melt or get disgusting real fast.”