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Donations
Putnam Bank collected more than six cases of diapers and more since the Holiday Dazzle Light Parade. Left to right are: Lynn Bourque and Bob Halloran of Putnam Bank and Helen Ferland, coordinator, IHSP-Diaper Bank of NECT and Ann Kathi Peterson, general coordinator. Courtesy photo.
By Linda Lemmon
Town Crier Editor
So many needs. Bob Halloran, chief financial officer at Putnam Bank, noticed as a volunteer at Daily Bread, that the need for diapers, a very expensive commodity, was very high.
So when Putnam Bank was deciding on a donation campaign for the holiday season, diapers and more, went to the top of the list. Halloran added, "In addition to the Diaper Bank campaign, Putnam Bank employees also collected and donated blankets, hats, mittens, etc., in response to (Daily Bread Conmmunity Resource Coordinator Ann Kathi) Peterson’s efforts to help keep families warm during the winter months. If people in need lose some or all of their fuel assistance it will be important to provide other ways to help keep them warm."
Lynn (Brodeur) Bourque, Putnam Bank senior vice president and branch administrator, said last January there were 28 families requesting diapers and it was up to 128 families this year. By providing diapers for the Diaper Bank, families can use funds to buy food. "What hit me the most is that some families have children use a diaper for more than one day. They simply can’t afford them."
The Diaper Bank, which is a program under the Interfaith Human Services of Putnam (IHSP), began when Helen Ferland saw a similar program at a faith community in Florida in 2010. After returning and determining a huge need in northeast Connecticut, Peterson said, The Diaper Bank became a reality in January 2011. "Originally the intent was to serve clients living in Putnam, Pomfret, Woodstock and Thompson. It became clear very early on that there was a need in Killingly and Brooklyn. And since we are the only Diaper Bank in NECT we learned there is a large need in the Plainfield area for this type of service as well. We’ve had calls as far as Willimantic and Norwich. We are an emergency supplemental program and at the present time we provide one package of diapers and wipes to families on a monthly basis. We would like to be able to provide more but are limited in what we have available," Peterson said.
Peterson added, "We would like to be able to provide other diaper products as well as baby foods and cereals. As it relates to the IHSP-Daily Bread Food Pantry we are always in need of personal care items and other household items. I just talked with a family today who needed laundry detergent and other cleaning supplies that we didn’t have on our shelves. The IHSP-Clothing Closet needs children’s clothing that is in good, clean condition and free from stains."
"Putnam Bank has been very supportive of our ministry with diapers, food, clothing and monetary donations. They also provided warm blankets to keep bodies warm this winter. They are almost gone. Putnam Bank's participation in the “Changing Babies Campaign” helped to raise awareness of our needs and the needs of families in the NECT community," Peterson added.
Donations are always needed and always welcome.
Donations may be delivered from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday and Friday, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays. Monetary donations can be made payable to IHSP, PO Box 281, Putnam, CT 06260. Those in need may come into the ISHP/Daily Bread facility at the Living Faith United Methodist Church on Grove Street Monday, Wednesday evening or Friday and bring a photo ID and proof of residency. The Diaper Bank is by appointment --- call 928-0169 and leave a message.