Swaddling Clothes Program Will Provide Baby Diapers To Mills County Families in need

Families across Mills County will soon have access to diapers and baby wipes free of charge through a program being established through Trinity Lutheran Church in Glenwood.

Swaddling Clothes is a national initiative being carried out by various congregations belonging to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod with a mission “to share the mercy of Christ with our neighbors through the gifts of clothing, food, friendship, and the forgiving Word of God.”

Locally, the program will focus primarily on providing diapers and baby wipes to parents of newborns and young children. Diapers for “preemies” up to size 7 will be available at no cost through the program.

“With the (Mills County Public Health) NEST program shutting down, I did some calling around and there seems to be quite a need (for baby diapers) in Mills County,” said Connie Wilson, Director of the program for Trinity Lutheran Church. “The food pantry doesn’t get very many diapers in and people are always asking for them. We want to take care of that need if we can.”

Wilson noted that diapers are an expense that takes a heavy toll on the budget for many families. One case of diapers can cost as much as $60.

“In reading and getting more information about this, the need of diapers is a lot greater than people realize and the psychological effect it has on parents or those raising the children when they can’t meet the needs of just changing the diaper, it affects the whole family,” she said.

“They either have to forego food, electricity or other needs in order to supply the baby with those diapers and wipes or they don’t change the diapers as often. Then, there are health issues.”

Parents will be required to register for the program to receive the diapers and baby wipes, but they won’t have to provide income information or proof of financial need.

Distribution of the diapers and wipes will take place on the third Saturday of the month, beginning June 20.  Between now and then, Wilson and other volunteers are working to get the shelves stocked with diapers and wipes. The Missouri Synod has already provided Trinity Lutheran

Church with some seed money to get the program going and volunteers are aggressively seeking additional grants and donations.

A community diaper and baby wipe “drive-thru, drop-off” donation event is scheduled for Saturday,  April 25, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. In addition to diapers and wipes, monetary donations will also be accepted. On that day, donations can  be brought to the Trinity Lutheran Church Annex, located at 109 N. Locust St. Donations of diapers and wipes can also be dropped off at The Opinion-Tribune newspaper office, 116 S. Walnut St., during normal business hours, before or after the April 25 event.

Wilson noted that although Swaddling Clothes will be housed at Trinity Lutheran Church, the program was established to be a community-wide initiative. Civic organizations, youth groups, businesses and other churches across Mills County are encouraged to support and participate in the program.

Additional information about Swaddling Clothes can be found online at swaddlingclothes.org. Locally, potential donors and parents wanting to register for the program can contact Wilson at 402-917-6210 or via email at glenwood@swaddlingclothes.org.