American Red Cross officials say they're in desperate need of blood donations.

Grand Island Collections Manager Andrea Carey says it's typical to see a slight drop in donation numbers as schools let out for the summer months.

"High school and college students account for about 20% of our blood donations during the school year, so in the summertime we tend to lose those donors," Carey says.

But Carey says the numbers never get this low.

"The inventory is much lower than we had anticipated," Carey says. "We're about 50% of what we had last year at this time, of readily available blood."

That percentage accounts for readily available blood nationwide. Officials think one reason for the low numbers is the weather.

"It could be because of the excess heat early in the season, people taking early vacations," Carey says.

She says they're not expecting to see an increase anytime soon.

"Another concern is the 4th of July holiday falling in the middle of the week, and people taking the week off," Carey says. "So we're not anticipating it getting any better."

But some people are taking advantage of the holiday week to take time to donate.

Lonnie Mitteis says he had the day off, so came into the Grand Island American Red Cross chapter office to donate. Mitteis says it's an easy way to give back.

"It's just sharing, sharing what I have," Mitteis says. "It's easy, I can do it quick, it's no big deal."

But Carey says it will mean a great deal to those who desperately need the donations.