In Spring 2017, we invited American Baptists from across the country to share their Transformation Stories – this is a part of the Transformed by the Spirit initiative. Videos and written stories are included as provided by local churches and American Baptists. Want to share your story? Submit written and video submissions to: americanbaptist@gmail.com. View the full list of Transformation Stories here.
Transformation Story: The K.I.N.D. Project (Kids in Need of Diapers) – First Baptist Church, Owego, NY
The ministry we identify is to help those in poverty.
The K.I.N.D. Project is an initiative of the First Baptist Church of Owego, NY, to aid those in the community who need help providing diapers and related supplies for their young children. The K.I.N.D. Project celebrated its first anniversary on the last Saturday of March 2017. With hearts filled with great joy, the K.I.N.D. Project team members reflected on their first year of mission and community outreach to families needing assistance.
The Project is a stop gap measure helping families until they are able to purchase diapers. Families in poverty are faced with buying food for the family or diapers, which are not covered by food stamps or WIC. Children suffer when diapers are not changed or diaper cream is not applied to a rash. Wipes are also a necessity for properly cleaning the child. Diapers, creams, and wipes are essential to raise healthy children.
Young mothers, and other caretakers, who come to our facility next to the church are grateful for the help. There is improved health and comfort for the baby, and peace of mind for the family. The mothers, fathers and grandparents are aware that the community, and the First Baptist Church in particular, support and encourage them in their quest to keep their babies healthy. Our prayer is that the babies and toddlers that we help are secure and comfortable. It is enjoyable to see the babies grow over the period of a year.
The K.I.N.D. Project team is getting to know the families that request assistance. A family that is caring for children other than their own find it especially helpful. If the family is experiencing illness, the team will ask if they can pray for the family member. At our one year anniversary, that occurred on the last Saturday of March 2017, the K.I.N.D. Project team served 275 children and provided families with
97 tubes of diaper cream
144 packages of diaper wipes and
3878 diapers.
During October 2016, the need for baby/child shampoo and body wash was also realized, and the team responded by providing 54 bottles of shampoo/body wash.
The K.I.N.D. Project is open the last Saturday of the month from 9 – 11 am. It is located in the church annex next to the First Baptist Church and close to downtown Owego, NY. If a family needs diapers other than the last Saturday of the month, they can call the church office or stop by when the church office is open.
The team gives thanks and praise to God for His guidance, and generous gifts to this mission. The K.I.N.D. Project received it’s start up funds from the ABC Matthew 25 Grant, allowing it to purchase shelving, signage, plastic bins, a file cabinet and the first carload of diapers, wipes and creams. The members of the First Baptist Church congregation are generous in donating money and diapers and are giving on-going support to this outreach mission.
Other local churches have supported the efforts along with a local foundation. The support from the community is truly a testament of God’s work. When we reach out to those in poverty we remember the word of our Lord,
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” Matthew 25:40