ARDEN — Thanks to the generosity of the Walnut Cove Members Association, the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Barnabas Church in Arden was recently awarded a $6,000 grant to start a diaper bank in conjunction with its food pantry. The diaper bank is aimed at helping provide an adequate supply of diapers to needy families with small children.
Diapers are an issue for many low-income families because they are expensive and required in large numbers. Further, the need is magnified because diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps and there are no other federal, state or local safety-net programs allocating funds for the purchase of diapers. Western North Carolina does not have a major diaper bank, and diapers are only available in limited quantities through local food pantries and churches.
With this grant, the St. Vincent De Paul Society will have the resources to augment the limited local supply and support the diaper needs of at least 10 needy children in the western North Carolina community for an entire year.
WCMA is a philanthropic group comprised of property owners at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Arden who are interested in supporting local western North Carolina charities. WCMA raises money through member dues, donations and an annual “Weekend of Giving” fundraising event. At the end of each year, these funds are distributed to a variety of local charitable organizations in which members are actively involved. Since its inception in 2007, WCMA has awarded 270 grants, totaling more than $930,000, to a diverse range of nonprofits.
This year St. Barnabas Church’s St. Vincent De Paul diaper bank program was one of 32 grant requests selected for funding.
— Robert May