A volunteer sorts donated baby clothes.

With the help of a volunteer, a young child finds a toy.

Huron County Baby Pantry

If you want to participate in a day of smiles, mutual affection, and generosity, come and volunteer at the Huron County Baby Pantry in Michigan. The baby pantry opened in 2004 and provides clothes, bedding, books, shoes, hygiene products, baby formula, baby food, and diapers free of charge to families who have children under the age of five. On a recent Saturday, 47 families were served in the five hours the baby pantry was open. The pantry serves about 150 families regularly and each one has a unique story.

One mom was out of formula for three days until the baby pantry opened. She has since received emergency phone numbers so that her baby won’t be without food. Another young mom and her baby were dropped off at the local police station without any clothes, food, or diapers. The pantry provided emergency food and clothing to the young mother and baby. A father, who was originally suspicious and belligerent, is now the first to offer help in assisting other parents with lifting or carrying. The pantry has also provided emergency supplies to foster parents as well as grandparents who have just received custody of a young child.

As an all-volunteer organization, the baby pantry is supported through grants, fund-raising, and donations. The goal is to help families with young children by supplying a portion of clothing, diapers, formula, food, hygiene products, and shoes in the hope of relieving financial stress and thereby help prevent child abuse related to a lack of basic needs. The pantry has a governing board that continues to be amazed that the pantry can supply so many food and clothing needs yet never seems to run out. They always have a coat just the right size, a small dress for an upcoming event, or a layette of new items for each newborn. Like the loaves and fishes, it is miraculous.

In 2007, the baby pantry received a World Hunger grant from the Community of Christ. This grant allowed the pantry to purchase infant formula and much-needed cereal and baby food. Many parents have been blessed by these food items, and volunteers frequently hear parents say, “Thank God! You have just what we need,” or “This is an answer to prayer.”

An important priority for the baby pantry has been to recognize the worth of each person. Dignity and friendship are important values demonstrated by the volunteers. Because it is such a caring place, the families have become part of the cycle of generosity. Parents return outgrown baby items and donate extra formula, cereal, or diapers. Flyers for the baby pantry have been designed by one of the moms. The families are encouraged to volunteer and to give back to the community. Many families help with the various jobs associated with keeping the pantry clean and functioning. The volunteers at the pantry acknowledge that people live up to what you expect from them. They expect their families to be loving and helpful, and so they become loving and helpful. They all consider themselves family so they pray together, cry together, and rejoice together.

Many of the pantry volunteers are members of the Community of Christ. As volunteers, they believe they can create pathways for peace through their actions. They model peace through the way they treat people, how they resolve problems, and the quality of the life they live. While members do not promote the church, they do talk about their faith and spiritual lives. Recently, a mom had tears in her eyes as she thanked the staff for being “saints.” One member of the pantry staff was asked to serve as a spiritual guide for a new baby. When asked why they would choose someone from the baby pantry, the parents responded that this person was the most spiritual person they knew.

The pantry doesn’t just bless the families who use its services. It also blesses the lives of those who donate items, volunteer time, and donate money. When new volunteers join the staff, they are amazed by how many people are served and equally amazed by the love that is so present. Volunteers find their lives are changed through the gratitude of a small child whom they may have helped find a toy or a snack. One volunteer’s goal is that each child remember that he or she was loved at the pantry.

While the needs of the hungry and poor are worldwide, it is important to not let the need overwhelm us. Each person can make a difference wherever they are. The Huron County Baby Pantry challenges each one to spread the love and peace of Jesus Christ in the places that they occupy. Shalom!

To learn more about World Hunger or to learn how you or your congregation can help go to www.CofChrist.org/hunger.

Pantry Testimonies

“The baby pantry is a wonderful place to go when you need help. Last month I didn’t have nearly enough formula. Honestly, I don’t know what we would do if the baby pantry wasn’t there. We’re very grateful.” —Patricia VaLovick

“I volunteer at the Huron County Baby Pantry. When I was a new mom in the late ’60s, there wasn’t any help for people who needed assistance. Now, I’m a grandma, and I am so happy to be a part of helping people who are in need. I am thrilled to be able to help ease the stress for people in need. I make crib sheets to donate because they are so expensive in the store. We use sheets from garage sales to convert to crib sheets. God calls us to serve with all of our talents.”—Judy Horton, Baby Pantry volunteer

“We were there when a scared, unwed, pregnant 17-year-old came in with her mother, needing infant supplies. They came in the next month and returned everything because she had decided on adoption. We were there the next month when they returned and again needed help with supplies because they just could not give the baby up. Best of all, we were there when this mom finished high school and headed for college with her beautiful baby girl. We are a support system.”—Judy Doerr, co-manager, treasurer, and member of the board of directors of the Huron County Baby Pantry