The William Ellis Brockman Infant Pantry is looking for more volunteers and more donations after serving a record number of babies last month.
The infant pantry, located at the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant, had 170 babies come through its doors in August and had 82 — also a record — on Aug. 31 alone, according to coordinator Pat Sherlock.
The pantry’s purpose is to provide infant needs to local families struggling to afford them. The pantry was originally managed by the Red Cross, but was taken over by the Community Compassion Network in 2014 and has stayed at the church since.
In October of 2014, the pantry served approximately 45 babies a month and has rapidly increased as word of its existence has spread. With demand continuing to go up, Sherlock now expects 150 babies each month and said August and September are always the busiest.
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“We are way ahead of last year at this time. I have a theory it’s because the kids have been home all summer and aren’t getting their breakfast and lunch at school,” she said. “This is a big time of year for us and we will take as much help as we can get.”
Sherlock said the pantry is run mostly on donations and grants. Its biggest fundraiser is the Max & Emily’s Concert Series in the summer and is partially funded by the Mt. Pleasant Community Foundation.
The pantry is open every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. All Isabella County families with children up to 4 years old are allowed to visit the pantry once a month.
Sherlock said it’s special to watch community members help one another.
“The pantry is welcome to all Isabella County guests and it is run by Isabella County people,” Sherlock said. “It’s pretty cool seeing neighbors helping neighbors. People around here are just so generous.
“It’s a real group effort, we have so many people who volunteer. But I am always looking for more because we keep getting more babies.”
Even with the record number of babies this year, Sherlock is still encouraging any family in need of assistance to visit the pantry. Sherlock added that the first three years of a child’s life are “crucial” for development and they need proper nutrition and care.
“Those years just crucial for growth and development,” she said. “I’m tickled that we can help make it so parents don’t have to choose between food and diapers. It’s a wonderful thing.”
Monetary donations can be received at www.ccnfeeds.org, or mailed to CCN, P.O. Box 237, Mt. Pleasant, Mi 48858. Donated items may be dropped off at the pantry at 1250 Watson Road on Wednesdays.
Needed items include baby and toddler food, wipes, baby wash, shampoo, diapers and pull ups.
