A donation of more than 9,000 diapers and 5,600 baby wipes has been delivered to the Berrien County Health Department from United Through Motherhood, a group looking to start a diaper bank. The diapers were collected by a coalition of churches, students, and local groups including Kiwanis. They departed from Temple B’Nai Shalom in Benton Harbor Thursday to be delivered. United Through Motherhood’s Ruth Kremer tells WSJM News one in three families struggles with having enough diapers for their babies.
“We know that those clients of the BCHD are prohibited, if they receive state or federal assistance, from using those funds to buy disposable diapers,” Kremer said. “They can’t access daycare without disposable diapers because they need a minimum of a day’s worth in advance.”
Therefore, the parents have to miss work if they don’t have enough diapers. United Through Motherhood donated more than 1,000 diapers last year. The Berrien County Health Department’s Kyna King says they go fast.
“We actually have our home visiting programs that serve moms and dads throughout Berrien County, so this will be a huge support for our families we’re serving throughout the county,” King said.
Kremer says the group wants to start a permanent diaper bank using grants and with space provided by Whirlpool the goal is to raise $60,000 to buy a whole semi trailer full. You can donate diapers or money by contacting Kremer at RuthKremer@Comcast.net. You can also donate at Temple B’Nai Shalom with a check. Write in the memo it’s for the diaper bank.
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