Mar 19, 2015 4 min read

CANONSBURG – Deacon Regis Turocy believes it was divine intervention that moved Anglican Parish of Christ the Redeemer to embark on a community project designed to help needy families with infants and toddlers.

Turocy and Senior Pastor David Wilson both read a story in the Catholic Herald about diaper banks. The article immediately piqued their interest, and before long, they were setting in motion the groundwork to establish the only diaper pantry in Washington County.

The parish will hold its distribution of diapers for WIC and SNAP clients from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the third Saturday of each month, beginning tomorrow. The diaper pantry is operated much like a food pantry, and happens to coincide with the Canonsburg food bank distribution dates.

Based on a study, “Every Little Bottom,” commissioned by Huggies, one in three mothers in the United States suffers from diaper need. It is estimated to cost an average of $936 per year to diaper one child.

Since parents can’t use food stamps to purchase diapers, Turocy said some families “get so desperate they sell their food stamps.”

An inadequate supply of diapers also forces many parents to leave their children in soiled diapers longer than is appropriate, which can lead to diaper rash and may cause staph infections and urinary tract infections, and withdraw them from child care.

“It broke my heart when I heard this. I couldn’t even imagine not being able to buy diapers,” said Emily Nugent of Bethel Park, a parishioner who spearheaded the efforts to organize a diaper pantry.

Nugent, who is expecting her second child in about two weeks, did her research and signed up Christ the Redeemer for the National Diaper Bank Network, which provides resources and education to help organize diaper pantries. The parish also joined Good 360, which is NDBN’s distribution partner, and it has worked closely with the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank.

Formerly known as St. David’s Episcopal Church in Peters Township, the parish moved to its new home on East College Street in 2012, a few years after the diocese realigned into the Anglican Province. Most of its parishioners reside in Bethel Park.

“We were looking for a way to impact the community and reach people, not only spiritually, but also their individual needs,” said Wilson, who also serves as rector of Christ the Redeemer. “When Rege came to me and said, ‘I read the greatest thing,’ I figured it had to be a God thing.”

Nearly 25 volunteers, which is about one-fifth of the parish’s congregation, has offered to help sort, pack and distribute diapers.

“People really took to it,” Wilson said. “Churches are built with young families with children. We have a core of young families. You need to make that generational shift, so you ask yourself, ‘How do you reach young people?'”

That’s not to say that volunteers will be preaching the gospel to parents in need. In fact, Nugent said that NDBN members of faith-based organizations are forbidden to do so.

“We are here to help them,” she said.

The parish has 11,000 diapers of all sizes and styles, including pull-ups and training diapers. The church will continue to replenish its supply as it receives donations. Monetary donations are preferred because the parish can purchase between 400 and 600 diapers at a discounted rate of $80 through NDBN. However, any donations are welcome.

Ansys was the parish’s first corporate sponsor. Intelligent Electronic Systems Inc. in Bridgeville and several area churches have helped as well.

The plan is to provide 25 diapers per child each month to help supplement parents’ supplies. Based on the need and the number of donations the church receives, that number could increase. In addition, baby creams and baby wipes will be distributed while supplies last.

“It’s going to take some time. We know we’re not going to get bombarded,” Turocy said. “Sometimes they’re embarrassed because they’re in that predicament.”

Parents requesting diapers must provide a WIC or SNAP card, photo identification and a birth certificate for each child.

If the diaper pantry succeeds, Turocy said the parish will consider adding adult diapers to its inventory.

For directions, more information or to make a donation, call the church office at 724-745-0685 or contact Emily Nugent at 412-398-5995 or emilyZabkar@gmail.com.