By DREW CHITTICK bradenandrewc@gmail.com
Angie Francis has been running Covered With Love, the Wabash Valley’s only diaper bank, for several years out of Terre Haute, Ind.
“We started in October 2015,” said Francis. “I used to work locally with the homeless in our community, and I couldn’t find a consistent resource for diapers and wipes and I was frustrated. It’s one thing when you’re searching for something for yourself, but it’s another when you need something for your children, you feel like a horrible parent.”
The frustration of searching for days to find an affordable supply of diapers resulted in a quick prayer.
“I said ‘Lord, somebody has got to get diapers for these children,”’ recalled Francis. “God just laid it on my heart to be the central hub for diaper distribution in this area.”
In February 2020, Mindy Myers reached out to Francis about opening a branch of Covered With Love in Paris to serve Edgar and Clark counties.
Myers’ motivation to become involved started when a young family friend got pregnant while still in high school, and she wanted to help the young girl.
“I know what it’s like to be young and pregnant,” Myers said. “I started thinking about what was the hardest thing for me to get access to, you can get food stamps, or WIC for formula, but you can’t get diapers.”
Myers lived in Indianapolis, Ind., when she had her daughter and said even in a larger urban area there was no ready information about getting help with diapers. She discovered Covered with Love’s Facebook posts and too felt God was directing her to help.
For 2020, Covered with Love has given away more than 42,000 diapers so far, and with many families still out of work, those involved expect to need more. COVID-19 has halted the organization’s usual fundraiser, where individuals donate enough packs of diapers to fill trucks parked outside of grocery stores.
The Stuff the Truck fundraiser is moving to Facebook in the effort to raise $10,000 for a pallet of diapers and increase awareness about the one in three American families that face diaper need.
In addition, a benefit car show is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at Meadows Mall in Terre Haute.
Francis said a car show is permissible because it is outside so exhibitors and visitors alike can stay socially distanced. Other features of the car show are a 50/50 drawing, food trucks and door prizes. All types of cars are welcome to enter starting at 9 a.m. and registration is $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the show.
“God has been good,” said Francis, “He has supplied our needs so far. And if we didn’t have the support of our communities, we couldn’t do what we do. It’s about the relationships with the families, we get to see the children flourish and thrive. That’s the best part.”
Families looking for help affording diapers can call 812-870-2273 to set up an appointment. Families in the Terre Haute area can make online appointments at https://ift.tt/32Q5uVR. Online appointments will be available in Paris and other Illinois locations in October.
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