Laurel United Methodist Church volunteers will distribute free diapers to anyone in need on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Nov. 21, between 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. This Diaper Depot is a drive-through in the church parking lot at 631 S. Grand Ave. West. Please do not arrive early. One pack of diapers will be given for each child. Let a volunteer know the size needed, and someone will bring them to your car.
Each child will also receive a book donated by the Word-Up program and the Laurel UMC congregation. Newborns will be given a bib and burp cloth set handmade by the Laurel UMC Stitch’N Go mission. Each family will also receive one package of wipes. Families do not need to show a proof of need, but quantities are limited based on supply.
“The volunteers of Diaper Depot mission believe that there is no greater gift you can give a baby than comfort,” said Tiffany LeVeque, Laurel UMC administrative secretary. “And a clean, dry diaper is our way of giving babies in our community comfort from the Laurel UMC family.”
Laurel UMC began the Diaper Depot in 2022. So far this year 1,200 cars have come through the monthly events, and 3,100 packs of diapers have been given away. The cost of one giveaway ranges from $2,200 to $3,000.
Laurel UMC started this ministry in recognition that many local families struggle to afford basic necessities. Census statistics show that 37% of households in Springfield make less than $50,000 a year, and 13% of Springfield residents are living below the poverty level. Diapers are a significant cost for people with young children. It is estimated that a child less than 1 year old averages about 10 diapers a day, at a cost of nearly $1,000 for generic brand diapers just in the first year of life.
A grant from the United Methodist Foundation, along with donations from the Laurel UMC congregation, have been instrumental in funding monthly events throughout 2026. Ongoing funding is essential to keep the program going. Volunteers and donations of diapers, wipes, books and funds are welcome and appreciated.
For more information about how to support this program and get involved, contact Tiffany LeVeque at tleveque@laurelumchurch.org or call the church office at 217-525-1866.
Karen Ackerman Witter is a frequent contributor to Illinois Times. She is familiar with the Diaper Depot as a member of Laurel United Methodist Church.
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