KarunaNews Story

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in North Platte, Nebraska, U.S., recently got involved in a nationwide campaign by installing a Little Free Pantry. Little Free Pantries are weather and animal-proof structures that store food and other items for those in need. Brenda Aufdenkamp, a food, nutrition and health educator at UNL extension, says that the goal of the Little Free Pantry is to encourage the community to want to support their neighbors. “The idea is that when you’re short on something, if you’re short on a can of soup and don’t have time to run to the store, you can run to the local Little Free Pantry that’s in your neighborhood and get one of those,” Aufdenkamp said. Each Little Free Pantry in Lincoln County is maintained and stocked by a 4-H family. “Little Free Pantries are engaging kids, kids are developing leadership skills, plus reminding us all that we’re in this world to be focused on one another and benefit one another at all times,” Aufdenkamp said.