The Grand Traverse Baby Pantry's Drive for Diapers campaign will get some help.
A Mary Lee Lord Memorial Fund challenge grant will match donations received through April. All donations, up to $2,000, will be matched by the grant.
All proceeds from the drive will purchase disposable diapers sized 4, 5 and 6 for the pantry cupboard. Diaper donation boxes, courtesy of Waste Management will also be placed in a number of local Oleson’s, Tom’s and Glen’s stores in Antrim, Kalkaska and Grand Traverse Counties.
“We are honored to have the memory of Mary Lee Lord helping with this year’s drive,” said Sally Hanley, Pantry Director. “It will help us reach out to the rising number of young families we are seeing each month. Our goal for Grand Traverse County this year is $5,000 and or 25,000 diapers. This will let us distribute 2,000 diapers per month all year round. While this may seem like a big number, recent national studies note that a typical child will require 3,500 changes per year for the first three years of their life. For moms in poverty it means a $60 to $70 expense per month. It can be overwhelming, especially since diapers are not covered by bridge cards. “
Diapers will also be collected for and distributed by the Antrim County Baby Pantry and the Leelanau Baby Pantry. Large sizes, (4’s, 5’s and 6’s) are especially needed.
Grand Traverse County Donation Sites
St. Francis Catholic Church--1025 S. Union St.
Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency--3963 Three Mile Rd.
Tom’s Food Markets--West Bay, Acme, Munson Ave., 14th St, Interlochen
Oleson’s Food Stores--3850 N. Long Lake Rd, 1100 Hammond Rd. E.
Glen’s Market--905 E. 8th St.
The Presbyterian Church--701 Westminster
Antrim County Donation Sites
Mancelona--Glen’s, Dollar General, Curves
Bellaire--Glen’s, Dollar General
Leelanau County Donation Sites
Northport--Tom’s Food Market
Empire—Deering’s Grocery
Suttons Bay--Immanuel Lutheran Church
Leland--Leland Mercantile
Lake Leelanau--St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Cash donations to the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry can be mailed to 1144 Boon Street, Traverse City, 49686. Diaper donations can be made at participating stores or dropped at The Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency on 3 mile road. Packages of diapers should be clearly marked, “GT Baby Pantry.” For more information call Northwest Human Services at 947-3780 or the GT Baby pantry at 941-0655.
