Jamie, June, Doris, Shelly and Bev, all of The Pines in Ocean Park, made the First Parish Church Diaper Bank their community project over the holidays, donating 16 boxes of diapers and boxes of baby wipes to the cause. Courtesy Photo
SACO — How many diapers did the First Parish Congregational Church Diaper Bank dispense to those who need them in 2022?
Thousands, many thousands. From Jan. 5 to Dec. 28, First Parish Diaper Bank distributed 84,239 diapers to low-income families to help keep little bottoms dry.
That was the report of the three organizers — Pam Mohlin, Cathy Baillargeon, Nadine Russell — who got together and opened the diaper bank at the church in May 2021.
Thanks to donations from the congregation and the community, York County’s sole organized diaper bank has remained sustainable throughout 2022, they said.
The women shared the report to the congregation and now to the wider community, to let people know what is taking place.
Approximately 40 volunteers staff the bank once or twice in a three-month period, with those many hands making light work of packing diapers and menstrual supplies, the three said.
Thanks to several donors, the diaper bank has been able to supply diaper wipes as well. Several times in the past year, the bank has been the fortunate recipient of other baby supplies from Hannaford and other “guardian angels” who choose to remain anonymous, the organizers said.
There have been cash donations from Saco Biddeford Savings Bank, Saco Bay Rotary, York County Veterinarian Clinic, and “Raquetball Friends” from Saco Sport and Fitness.
A neighborhood drive of Strawberry Fields families that yielded “a mountain” of diapers and many generous cash donations.
The Pines retirement community residents, staff and board members donated 16 boxes of diapers and many wipes for their Christmas community project.
United Way of York County donated 13 boxes of wipes and many diapers from their recent drive.
A volunteer from Kennebunk Cares Closet transported bins and bins of clothing for children and adults to offer to the families who visited diaper bank during the summer of 2022, organizers said.
Good Shepherd Parish donated diapers from their January 2022 drive that they shared with several local organizations.
The diaper bank has donated diapers to new Mainers living in area motels until they secure permanent housing and to the Maine Families agency to whom they gifted diapers in sizes other than the ones families frequenting the First Parish Diaper Bank require.
Case workers from Maine Behavioral Health and Gateway Community Services deliver diapers to their clients. Many grandparents deliver diapers to their low-income family members.
In the First Parish Church community, a couple donated packages of incontinent supplies that were given to a diaper bank family with special incontinent needs, another family donated numerous packages of menstrual supplies and an individual purchases items quarterly to donate to the bank.
The organizers noted a touching occurrence that has taken place several times, when diaper bank moms have brought in their own outgrown baby clothing, baby supplies and unused formula to “pay it forward” in appreciation.
“It seems we are cultivating a caring and sharing community as a result of our diaper bank generosity and friendliness,” the organizers noted.
The bank serves 24-40 families each week and distributes between 1,400 and 2,000 diapers on average, every Wednesday. The moms know the bank is a safe place to find a caring ear and parenting encouragement, the women said.
“When (Rev.) Scott Cousineau, Nadine, Cathy and I sat down in April of 2021 to discuss the idea of a diaper bank at First Parish, we had no idea what the future would hold, but we (felt) compelled to help,” said Mohlin. “We could never have predicted that the diaper bank would develop into yet another resource that shows the community and beyond, that First Parish is a church with love and hope to share. Thanks to all who support this extraordinary mission. ”
The diaper bank is open 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at First Parish Church, 12 Beach St. in Saco.
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
