Diaper help is on the way
Swaddling Clothes will provide baby items to families in need
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <br> Nanci Bruss and Joleen Allers stock packages of diapers on the shelves in a room at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The church’s new Swaddling Clothes ministry will begin distributing baby items to families in need on Aug. 8.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <br>Carol Johnston, left, folds a baby quilt while Julie Junkman packages some Christian children’s books in advance of the first Swaddling Clothes distribution at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <br> Nanci Bruss and Joleen Allers stock packages of diapers on the shelves in a room at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. The church’s new Swaddling Clothes ministry will begin distributing baby items to families in need on Aug. 8.
-Messenger photo by Bill Shea <br>Carol Johnston, left, folds a baby quilt while Julie Junkman packages some Christian children’s books in advance of the first Swaddling Clothes distribution at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge.
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In Fort Dodge, there may be times when the parents of a baby may be faced with a painful decision about what they can afford: food or diapers.
The new Swaddling Clothes ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is intended to help parents in that situation.
Beginning in August, the ministry will distribute free diapers, wipes and other baby needs once a month.
"Diapers were something we found is needed in the community," said Joleen Allers, a spokeswoman for the committee that is organizing Swaddling Clothes.
Allers said Fort Dodge has food pantries and other agencies providing help to families that need it, but none of them specifically address diapers and baby products. Swaddling Clothes is designed to fill that gap, she said.
"What better way to share the love of Jesus?" she asked.
The ministry takes its name from Bible verses which describe the newborn baby Jesus being wrapped in swaddling clothes. "As He was wrapped, we wrap His little ones,'' is the motto of the effort.
Swaddling Clothes is a national effort of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
Allers and some other members of Good Shepherd went to a church in Sac City in November to learn about how the program works there.
A core group of Allers, Nanci Bruss, Carol Johnston and Julie Junkman began meeting regularly in January to get the program started in their church. Other congregation members have helped along the way.
"Pretty much the whole congregation has pitched in," Allers said.
A ground floor room in the church was cleaned out and some shelving units were set up to hold diapers and other items.
The committee has started stockpiling diapers and other items. Some were donated; others were purchased. Allers said the committee has been able to get gift cards from a Lutheran organization called Thrivent to buy diapers and wipes.
When the distributions to families in need begin, a bundle of diapers, a package of wipes and four or five Christian books will be given for each child. And a small quilt may be presented also. Some quilters are making and donating baby quilts which will be handed out, depending on the available supply.
There will be a dedication ceremony for the program at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 2 at the church, 1436 21st Ave. N.
On Aug. 5-6, donations of diapers and wipes will be accepted during a drive-thru effort at the church. Donors can arrive between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. on those days, and someone will come out to their vehicles to pick up the items.
The first distribution of items will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 8.
After that, distributions will be held on the second Saturday of every month.
How to Help
Donations of diapers and baby wipes will be accepted from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 5-6 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1436 21st Ave. N.