The Columbia, Mo., Corps, is helping to ease the financial strain for parents of babies by providing resources and support through their new Baby Pantry.
“Babies are expensive,” said Captain Amy Cedervall, who leads the corps with her husband, Major Kevin. “Our goal was to create a resource for families who are struggling with the additional costs associated with having a baby in the home.”
The program came from Captain Amy’s heart for children in the community. According to Major Kevin, there aren’t many community resources available for new parents, and the Baby Pantry provides an opportunity to come alongside people and share God’s love.
In addition to receiving material support, visitors to the pantry are invited to attend Sunday services and corps activities. During the holiday season, parents are encouraged to sign up for the Angel Tree program to receive additional resources for their baby as well as older children in the home. They also are referred to the Pathway of Hope (POH) initiative and connected with Captain Amy for pastoral care year-round. Since the pantry opened, two families have completed POH.
The Cedarvalls began the program trusting God would provide. “There was no extra money in the budget to purchase supplies to fully stock the pantry,” said Captain Amy. “But we decided we weren’t going to wait until we had it. We were going to start with what we had and trust that the community would support us with what we needed to replenish and grow.”
After a few months of preparation, advertising on Facebook and sending out press releases, the corps and members of the Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony. That day 10 families received diapers, wipes and clothing and provided valuable feedback about new parents’ greatest needs.
Volunteer Betsy Dawkins has since taken the lead, recruiting, training and supervising additional volunteers who spend hours each month sorting, washing and hanging baby clothes, counting out hundreds of diapers, and processing other donations. The Baby Pantry has partnered with the community Women, Infants and Children Board which provides formula monthly so even if store shelves are low, the Baby Pantry can almost always help ensure babies are fed.
“When Betsy tells me we’re short on something, one of us will put out a Facebook post and sometimes a press release asking the community to help,” said Captain Amy. “It’s been amazing to see how people respond.”
