This project is shared by the Peoria (Illinois) Area Life Chapter LFL #268.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience” (Colossians 3:12).
Many Life Teams, Life Chapters, and churches hold annual diaper drives to collect this needed resource for Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs). Some time ago, the Peoria Area Life Chapter experienced an unexpected twist during their diaper drive. People donated boxes of protective underwear for adults! In investigating where to place these donations, they contacted local nursing homes and discovered there was indeed a great need for these products. They found that Medicare and Medicaid did not pay for these items in certain situations, and thus their use became a financial burden for some.
Because the Life Chapter now has several locations that accept their donations, they promote their drive in their churches’ bulletins, newsletters, and other Life Chapter communications. They accept any size and gender, and the underwear is acceptable even if packages have been opened. Families sometimes donate other items such as blue-and-white paper bed pads, wipes, or other personal care products.
Chapter members take the collections to the recipient facilities when the drive is finished. Since items may become available throughout the year, they have someone “on call” for additional deliveries. Storage of the donations—both during the drive and throughout the year—is not a problem. Nursing homes are almost always open and are glad to receive the items at any time.
Some helpful suggestions if you want to begin a service project like this in your own church:
- Discuss the project with your pastor. The pastor may know of places or persons needing such items. It may even be someone in your own congregation.
- Before you start the project, contact potential recipients. These may be nursing homes, hospice facilities, or rehabilitation centers. Be aware that state public health laws may apply regarding opened packages of certain products, so know exactly what the facility can and cannot accept. Include that detailed information in your promotional materials.
- In your promotion, please refer to these products as protective underwear. We often call these “adult diapers,” but it is a term to avoid. We are trying to be sensitive to how people using such products might feel about that term.
- Involve your youth in the delivery process if allowed by the facility. Young people are always a welcome sight, and it can be a great experience for your youth as well.
Our Lord encourages us to care for those around us, especially those who may need extra love and material blessings. This project is a great way to help others share their extra resources with those in need. It is a way to let those who might otherwise be forgotten know that someone really cares about them and their well-being.
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me’” (Matthew 25:40).