June 23, 2004
Pantry provides for parents
Grand Traverse Baby Pantry averages 60-70 shoppers per session
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
From formula to clothes to diapers, the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry offers a helping hand to county parents of young children.
Started in November of 2002 and located in the basement of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church, the pantry is set up like a store. It features clothing items for boys and girls through size 3T as well as personal care items, diapers and toys. Some formula is also available and larger items such as strollers, swings or high chairs are usually on hand. The pantry is just beginning to offer a few maternity clothes.
"I get diapers and clothes, it is especially helpful with preemie clothes," said Nikia Parker, who is a client of the pantry as well as a volunteer.
As a full-time student with young children, Parker struggles to make ends meet. She finds the diapers very helpful at times.
"If you're down and don't get a check until Friday, what are you going to do," she said.
The pantry is open on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, from 1-6 p.m. An average of 60-70 customers shop each session, patiently waiting their turn usually with young children in tow. The pantry also offers childcare services so parents can focus on their shopping.
Volunteers from the community and some of the pantry's customers staff it, sorting through donations, managing inventory and setting up and taking down the store.
"I just think this is fabulous," said Ann Ogur, a former teacher who volunteers at the pantry. "Some of the moms bring things back when they are done using them and I think that is very nice."
The pantry is open to any parent in Grand Traverse County with a child under age 3 and to pregnant moms in their third trimester. It does not have income requirements, noted Sally Hanley, pantry manager.
"We're here to support this period, which is very expensive and often at the beginning of a family's income growth," she said. "It is open to everybody to help or participate. By the time they come here, they need it today they can't bring the papers in. We are volunteer based and we can't sort through it all."
The Grand Traverse Baby Pantry is modeled on a similar program in Antrim County. Hanley noted that it was needed as both the Doula Teen Parent Program and the Pregnancy Resource Center downsized their pantries for parents of young children within the past few years.
The pantry seems to be meeting a need in the community, as 375 families are enrolled. This made for a combined total of 676 visits during the period from October 2003 to March 2004, including just over 450 visits by children.
"We decided to start this with community-based support, which included the Northwest Food Coalition, our umbrella agency," Hanley said. "They do all the financial part and have helped us organize. We've networked with the other agencies through them and other agencies send clients and resources and volunteers to us."
In partnership with other area agencies - including the Doula Teen Parent Program, the Women's Resource Center, Early On, Head Start, the Grand Traverse County Health Department and the MSU Extension - the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry offers positive parenting coupons. These vouchers recognize families who participate in programs offered by the above agencies, acknowledging their growth as parents. The coupons allow them to pick an item such as a stroller, special toy or a piece of outerwear for a young child.
"If they don't need equipment, they can get more diapers and clothes," Hanley said.
For more information on volunteering at the Grand Traverse Baby Pantry, call Pat Voice at Love for Children, 946-6073. Donations can be dropped off at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church during business hours or call Sally Hanley at 941-0655.