News

November 28, 2007

Diapers, baby food on agency’s gift list

Wishes for families served by Volunteers of America more pressing than toys, gadgets.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE -- How many Christmas lists include disposable diapers? How many request Similac or Isomil? How about sanitary wipes to keep baby’s bottom clean?

And who wants the jolly elf to bring jars and jars of baby food?

But these items are all on the wish list of Bill Jones, chief operating officer at the Volunteers of America, because demand is rising as winter fast approaches.

The families and children served by the VOA are not asking for cell phones, HD plasma TVs, Xboxes, digital cameras or laptops. Their holiday wishes are more pressing.

Jones said the shelves of Volunteers of America’s Caring Alternatives Pantry are bare and the agency needs the community’s help. The Caring Alternatives program is a crisis pregnancy and family support program.

“With our new location, we are much more visible and accessible,” Jones said of the agency’s North River Street location. “Every day families in need walk into the office and are in need of help.”

Jones estimates the agency gives $10,000 to $15,000 worth of items per year to families in need. The funds for these items come from monetary and in-kind donations and grants. Jones said the items are given to eligible clients.

“It’s getting colder now and families are faced with making tough decisions,” Jones said. “They opt to pay the heating bill and that leaves little for things like diapers and wipes and formula.”

Jones said he has seen clients try to reuse disposable diapers, resulting in rashes, and others have tried to stretch baby formula by diluting it with water, denying the necessary nutrition to the children.

In its last fiscal year, Jones said VOA provided supplies to more than 145 families. He said that by the end of the current fiscal year, the number could reach 180 or higher.

“Unfortunately, the shelves of the pantry are getting bare and this concerns us here,” said Crystal Parker, program supervisor. “Almost every day new calls for help are coming in. We don’t want to turn anyone away, but our resources are very, very thin. It is hard to keep up.”

Jones said he has never seen the demand for service so high. He speculates the higher cost of gas and home heating plus the agency’s new office location is contributing to the growth of the service.

The agency was formerly located on East Division Street in the Goose Island section of the city.

How you can help

Items critically needed

To make a donation to the Volunteers of America, please call 570-825-5261.

Diapers (sizes newborn to 5)

Formula (Similac & Isomil)

Baby jar foods (fruits & vegetables) (Stages 1 & 2)

Wipes

If you, your family, school, church, office or civic group could help with an in-kind or monetary gift, please call the VOA Wilkes-Barre office at 570-825-5261.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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