WAUKEGAN – LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL – After a year in which the COVID-19

pandemic exponentially increased demand for its services, Keeping Families Covered is expanding both its reach and its offerings.

In late June, volunteers conducted the first mobile diaper pantry distribution in Kenosha, expanding into Wisconsin what formerly had been only an Illinois initiative in Lake County.

The Kenosha Public Library-Southwest now is the site of monthly diaper distributions, adding to the nonprofit’s mobile diaper pantry schedule of monthly distributions in Gurnee, Grayslake and Waukegan and four distributions a month in Highwood.

Adult incontinence products also are offered as of July 1, said Ann Marie Mathis, founder and executive director of Keeping Families Covered.

With demand continuing on an upward trend and new ground to cover, Mathis said she is hopeful her 11-year-old organization’s generous supporters will continue to step up and that new volunteers will come forward.

“We’ve been here, we’re still here and we’re growing,” Mathis said. “If you’re looking for a way to support an organization in the community that is providing families with the basics they need to thrive, consider supporting us by donating goods, time, money or hosting a diaper drive.”

Mathis said 2020 was a record year for Keeping Families Covered, formerly known as Twice As Nice Mother & Child. The organization helped 18,623 children and 13,307 families.

“We gave away 1.16 million diapers in 2020, as well as over 150,000 period supplies and 24,000 pieces of clothing,” Mathis said. “We had 61 mobile diaper pantry events last year.”

The number of diapers distributed in 2020 was a 63% increase over the 707,957 diapers distributed in 2019. All of that occurred despite pandemic-provoked supply chain challenges, volunteer packing-session disruptions and fundraising event cancellations.

Despite the reopening economy, Mathis foresees no slowdown in demand. A looming diaper and female hygiene product price increase likely will bring even more clients her way, she predicted.

“What we saw in 2020 is far from over,” Mathis said, noting that no federal aid or welfare programs cover diapers. “Things have started to open up, but that doesn’t mean the level of need has diminished.

“The pandemic magnified needs that have always existed in the communities we serve and exposed more gaps in service that we are working very hard to fill,” she continued. “Diaper need and period poverty continues to disproportionately impact families who are already struggling to make ends meet.”

Through its membership in the National Diaper Bank Network, Keeping Families Covered is able to buy diapers in bulk at a deep discount. The same is true for period products through its membership in the Alliance for Period Supplies and a partnership with Aunt Flo. An anticipated 8% price increase this summer will drive the agency’s costs up and directly affect families who are purchasing those items.

Keeping Families Covered typically buys about 90% of the diapers it gives away – a number that already stood at 600,000 as of late June and on pace to meet a projected 1.5 million by the end of 2021.

While 2020 saw substantial COVID-19 emergency funding come Keeping Families Covered’s way, that will not be the case this year, Mathis said. The organization’s programs are funded through grants from local foundations and community service groups, as well as support from individual donors, which Mathis said has been an incredible blessing as they continue to navigate the pandemic.

“We were planning to do our fundraising gala in the fall, but we have had to postpone that for the second year in a row. The event is now slated for September 2022,” Mathis said. “We are moving forward with some smaller-scale fundraisers between now and the end of the year.”

Information on volunteering to host a drive, packing diapers or period supply kits or contributing financially can be found on the agency’s website, www.keepingfamiliescovered.org.

Mobile diaper pantry dates and locations, as well as registration details to obtain infant or adult diapers, are on the website.

First Midwest Bank “We Have Ideas” for Your Small Business Feature – March 22, 2021

Meet Ann Marie Mathis, the selfless and inspiring business owner of Keeping Families Covered, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing diapers and other basic needs to underprivileged families. As a mother of seven, Ann Marie founded Keeping Families Covered because she saw tremendous need among many families with young children in her community. Here is a look into her insight as a compassionate business owner whose maternal instincts shine inside and outside of the workplace:

Q: What inspired you to start your own business?

A: As a mother of seven, I know how challenging it can be to care for young children. Parenting can be even more difficult when you lack the necessities. Clothing and diapers are basic needs for children, as essential to their health and well-being as food, shelter, and a parent’s love. Yet many families struggle to afford those items and limited resources exist to help them. I believe that all parents should be able to provide their children with the basics they need to thrive and that is what inspired me to start my nonprofit organization, Keeping Families Covered.

Q: What’s one thing you wish you would have known when you launched your business?

A: I wish that I would have known that no state or Federal programs exist to assist families with diaper need. Diaper need affects 1 in 3 families. Safety net programs like food stamps and WIC do not cover diapers. Diapers are an ongoing and high priority need for many families, but especially for those who are experiencing financial hardship. Those families must often choose between buying diapers, paying bills or getting groceries. That is a choice that no family should have to make. With a cost between $70 and $80 per child per month, diapers are an expense that many families struggle to afford. Our diaper bank helps to fill the gap by providing free diapers to over 1,200 families every month so that they can keep their children clean, dry and healthy.

Q: Why do you love running a business?

A: I love running a business because I have the opportunity to help people every single day and make a positive impact in my community. The impact was particularly evident in 2020. In a year like no other, more families than ever counted on us and we were there for them. We gave away over 1.1 million diapers to 18,623 children and 13,307 families. The global pandemic has disrupted so many different aspects of our lives, but we continue to overcome the challenges it has created for us and those we serve. We remain committed to eliminating the barriers to access basic human needs in Lake County and keeping families covered. Being able to offer a helping hand to families in the community never feels like work. I also love running a business because it provides me with the flexibility that I need to balance work with responsibilities at home for my young family. My kids range in age from 3 to 12, so my schedule is such that I can take them to and from school each day, be there for their activities, and have time to manage other aspects of my household.

WAUKEGAN – CHICAGO TRIBUNE – Helping children is a passion for retirees Lizzy Helgren and Sandy Pearson of Gurnee, so volunteering at Waukegan-based Keeping Families Covered helps them feed their enthusiasm for youngsters and their families.

Keeping Families Covered — a not-for-profit organization which acquires and distributes primarily diapers, but other children’s needs like clothing and shoes, to needy Lake County families — is dealing with fewer volunteers and increased need because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Helgren, a longtime school nurse and Woodland School District 50 Board of Education member, has helped out at Keeping Families Covered for the last three years. It gets her back with young families.

“We hand them the package with the right size,” Helgren said. “Sometime there’s something extra, like a book from Bernie’s Book Bank or Bombas socks. You see the smiles on their faces. They often say, ‘God bless you.’”

Pearson, who taught kindergartners and first-graders at Shiloh Park School in Zion for 34 years, said the youngsters she helps volunteering remind her of the children she taught for so long.

“It’s very heartwarming to see their faces,” Pearson said. “These are like the kids I helped for 34 years. A lot of them are from the same community.”

Ann Marie Mathis, the founder and executive director of Keeping Families Covered as well as a Wadsworth resident, said the need has accelerated since March when the pandemic changed the way so many families do things. Many she already served had economic issues, and more came.

Mathis said purchasing and distributing diapers represents 85% of what her organization does. With nearly 1.1 million diapers handed out this year, it is approximately 35% more than was done a year ago.

Most of the diapers are purchased from donations the organization receives, but some packages are donated as well. Mathis said the bulk of the diapers are distributed through 37 community partners like the Lake County Health Department, the Family Resource Center, Kids Above All, Nicasa and others.

Once a case worker comes for the needed diapers and other supplies, Mathis said that person arranges for the distribution. Keeping Families Covered also does its own distribution at locations in Waukegan, Gurnee, Grayslake and Highwood.

Not only did the need for more diapers and other family needs grow after the onset of the pandemic, Mathis said the number of volunteers decreased primarily because some needed to stay at home away from others.

Until March, Mathis said the organization’s office and warehouse buzzed with volunteers sorting diapers, clothing, shoes, books and even the occasional stroller. After that, she had to rearrange the operation.

“It was a bit scary, but we were able to keep our doors open,” Mathis said. “We lost nearly half our team. None of them got sick. Some were 60-plus and high-risk. Some had medical conditions, and others were just fearful.”

With everyone wearing masks and washing frequently, Mathis said she reorganized the facility so work areas were at least six feet apart. When the volunteer base grew smaller, helpers like Pearson and Helgren started giving more time.

“Teachers retire at an earlier age,” Pearson said. “It was nice at the time. I’m able to do more so the older volunteers could stay home and stay safe. It wasn’t a problem for me.”

Mathis said she also had to shift distribution, from setting up a shop-like operation at places like the Gurnee Public Library and the Highwood Metra station to drive-through centers in parking lots. Now patrons drive into the lot, get a number and move ahead to receive a package with the appropriate-sized diapers.

Spending most of her adult life in the corporate world, Mathis said in 2010 she wanted to do something to help others. As the mother of seven children between the ages of 2 and 12, she knew the needs of families and started the organization in her basement.

Though today diapers are what she calls the flagship program of Keeping Families Covered, Mathis said she has always solicited donations of things like children’s bedding, blankets, clothing, shoes, car seats, high chairs, strollers and other items. Maternity clothing and women’s period supplies are also part of the mix.

WAUKEGAN – LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL – For one family in Fox Lake facing mounting medical bills, Waukegan-based Keeping Families Covered has been the difference between watering down their baby’s formula and keeping everyone properly fed.

“That is a saving grace,” said Lauren, who at 42 is a new mom in Fox Lake. “On the first of this year, my husband got laid off. And then COVID hit and then I couldn’t work anymore because of the baby and because child care is so expensive. Plus, my husband just had knee surgery. 2020, I just want it done.”

Lauren, who declined to provide her last name, said she is beyond grateful for Keeping Families Covered’s work and to all who support the organization.

“This baby is the love of my life. He’s our miracle baby,” she said after picking up diapers for her 10-month-old. “But I will be honest. We were considering cutting his formula with more water to make it last.

“What an amazing service this is,” she said. “They are so kind. They don’t judge you. … This makes the difference, enabling us to put food on our table and diapers on our boy.” Another family, the Pizanos, a family of six from Waukegan, said that were it not for the free diapers they receive, they’d be choosing between paying for groceries or paying their utility bills each month.

And in Zion, a COVID-19-related job loss two months before the birth of their second son put the Rojas family into a financial skid.

“We used to tag team on the bills,” Juan Rojas said, noting that his wife, Ana, was a waitress before the pandemic hit. “I’m a pizza delivery driver. We scrape to have enough to keep diapers on the baby and milk in the fridge.” The diapers the Rojases receive from Keeping Families Covered are saving them hundreds of dollars, Juan Rojas said.

“I felt like the pressure of the world was on me,” Rojas said Dec. 2 after picking up diapers during a mobile pantry distribution in Gurnee. “There is so much going on. It is such a relief. Every time we come here, we always try to tell the volunteers, ‘God bless you. Thank you. Just thank you.’ ”

When 2020 began, the organization founded by Ann Marie Mathis as Twice As Nice Mother & Child was distributing 70,000 diapers to about 1,000 Lake County families each month. During the pandemic, the nonprofit rebranded as Keeping Families Covered is distributing up to 121,000 diapers each month to more than 1,200 families. Through everything from a diaper supply chain that collapsed in March to the loss of fundraising and diaper drive opportunities throughout the year, Keeping Families Covered has risen to each challenge in 2020. Not only has the organization stayed on top of growing demand for diapers to keep babies clean and healthy, it’s added period supply kits to address the many women who are experiencing poverty.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, 1 in 3 young children in the U.S. regularly faced diaper need, meaning their families could not afford an adequate supply, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. The economic fallout of the pandemic has only increased that need – a deficit that results in placing babies at increased risk for diaper rash and more serious infections and the ripple effect causing families to cut back on other necessities, such as food or utilities. Because child care centers require families to provide diapers, parents in this position face employment and school attendance hardships.

No federal or state welfare programs cover diapers, making the work of Keeping Families Covered key to so many.

“We have never had to tell any client or any agency partner that we could not help them in some way,” founder and Executive Director Mathis said. “We must not and will not start now. Families need our support more than ever.” Mathis credits the grit of an amazing core group of volunteers for helping the organization continue to achieve and surpass goals, despite the vastly altered economic and distribution landscape.

“We lost nearly half of our team when the pandemic hit in March but have managed to survive the unprecedented growth in our programs thanks to the collective efforts of those who have remained by my side for the past nine months,” she said. “We would not be in a position to continue serving our community without the dedication and unwavering commitment of my amazing team.”

Proclaims Sept. 27-Oct. 3 Diaper Need Awareness Week

WAUKEGAN — LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL – Waukegan Mayor Ann Taylor greeted volunteers Sept. 28 and toured the cavernous Waukegan warehouse where infant, toddler and adult diapers, period supplies, infant formula, children’s books, car seats, winter coats and more await distribution to the hundreds of families served by Keeping Families Covered.

“I am super impressed,” said Taylor, who on Sept. 20, along with the Waukegan City Council, proclaimed Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 Diaper Need Awareness Week in the city. “I knew you offered the diapers, but I didn’t realize you had clothing and these other offerings as well.”

The nonprofit organization that Ann Marie Mathis started 11 years ago in her basement to provide moms in need with gently used equipment and clothing has indeed come a long way. Today, diapers, pull-ups and more are stacked roughly two stories high at her North Oak Grove Avenue facility. The organization serves 1,200 families and 1,800 children a month and is on pace to distribute 1.5 million diapers this year.

The National Diaper Bank Network, of which Keeping Families Covered has been a member since 2014, estimates one in three families faces diaper need. That is, they cannot afford enough diapers to keep their babies’ bottoms clean, dry and healthy. The domino effect can include increased difficulty for parents to find and keep work, as day care centers will not take babies without an adequate supply of diapers for the day.

“The more I learned about diaper need, the more I was determined to do everything I can to meet it,” said Mathis, herself a mother of seven children ranging in age from 3 to 12.

With the help of a core group of volunteers, Keeping Families Covered operates monthly mobile diaper pantries in Gurnee, Grayslake, Waukegan, Round Lake Park and Kenosha, Wisconsin, and weekly distributions in Highwood. The agency recently joined forces with six other like-minded Illinois nonprofits to form an advocacy coalition to bring increased awareness to unmet diaper need. And earlier this month (September), Gov. J.B. Pritzker recognized Sept. 27-Oct. 3 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week throughout Illinois.

“Many people do not realize that programs like WIC (the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children) and other government safety nets do not cover diapers,” Mathis said. “And efforts to reduce the Illinois tax rate for diapers have not yet been successful, either.

“Unmet diaper need is a significant source of stress for parents, especially those who are struggling to make ends meet,” she continued. “On average, diapers cost $70 to $80 per month per child. For families living in poverty, that is about 14% of their monthly income. These families need help and we are here for them.”

As she walked through the Keeping Families Covered office and warehouse space Tuesday (Sept. 28), Taylor said she was amazed by the size, scope and efficiency of the operation. The need, she said, is certainly critical.

“All of these items are so expensive,” Taylor said. “They say you can diaper one child for $70 to $80 a month, but I think that is a conservative estimate.”

And even that amount breaks the bank for thousands of families, Mathis added.

“Many parents are faced with choosing between groceries and diapers,” she said. “It’s a vicious cycle.”

In the diaper packing room during the tour, five volunteers stuffed packages with 25 diapers each, carefully labeling them by size and readying them for distribution.

“One thing I’d say about this place is they make it so easy to volunteer,” said Gurnee resident Bryan Pearson, who was there with his wife, Sandy. “It’s so well-organized.”

Mathis said those interested in volunteering have numerous ways to do so. Thursday night “Wrappy Hours,” neighborhood diaper drives and Saturday service days are just a few examples, with more opportunities listed under the “Lend a Hand!” tab at keepingfamiliescovered.org.

A new Changing Table Sponsorship program also has been launched, with cash donation options ranging from $500 to $5,000 and perks ranging from social media announcements to company name and logo featured on the organization’s 16-foot trailer and box truck. Mathis said her agency’s partnership with the National Diaper Bank Network allows Keeping Families Covered to purchase diapers in bulk at a steep discount, so every dollar donated is significantly stretched.

Additional sponsorship details are available at keepingfamiliescovered.org.

Governor issues proclamation to encourage Illinoisans to donate

WAUKEGAN – LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL – Gov. JB Pritzker has proclaimed the week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3 as National Diaper Need Awareness Week in the state.

Seven nonprofit organizations across Illinois have joined forces and formed an Illinois Diaper Bank Coalition to bring awareness to unmet diaper need and advocate for families across the state. As part of his proclamation, Pritzker encourages residents to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives and organizations that collect and distribute diapers to families struggling with diaper need so that all of Illinois’ children and families can thrive.

Members of the National Diaper Bank Network are Bundled Blessings, Covered Bottoms, Cradles to Crayons, Diaper Bank of Northern Illinois, Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank, Keeping Families Covered and Share Our Spare. These Illinois organizations work together to ensure that all babies have access to clean diapers and other basic necessities.

“We are grateful for this partnership and the opportunity to expand awareness of our mission and, as a result, help lay the foundation for a resilient and equitable community,” said Alex Goodfellow, executive director of Share Our Spare. “For the past 10 years, Share Our Spare has been committed to ensuring our future generation, children ages 0-5, has the essentials they need to thrive. Together, we are strengthening people to overcome challenging circumstances, gain upward mobility and attain prosperity.”

Diaper need is a public health crisis and defined as a lack of a sufficient amount of diapers to keep a baby clean, dry and healthy. Children experiencing poverty are at greatest risk of suffering from the effects of diaper need simply because many of these families can’t afford diapers.

“The proclamation for National Diaper Need Awareness Week is so important to The Diaper Bank of Northern Illinois,” the Rev. Phyllis Mueller said in a news release. “It will help us continue our mission of providing diapers to both children and adults who need assistance with diaper care but have nowhere else to turn.”

Public support programs help some young children, and several states have advocated with legislation to remove taxes on diapers to reduce the burden. Illinois is not one of those states.

One in three families in the U.S. experiences unmet diaper need, which affects their ability to nurture happy and healthy babies, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.

Unmet diaper need is cited as the No. 1 mental health stressor for new parents as most government assistance programs do not cover diapers. Diapers can cost an average family $70 to $80 a month per child, which is about 14% of the monthly income of families experiencing poverty.

Without diapers, babies cannot participate in early education programs, which inhibits many parents from going to work. A study conducted by the National Diaper Bank Network and Huggies found that parents who struggled with diaper need missed an average of four days of work a month.

WAUKEGAN – LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL – Twice As Nice Mother & Child is changing its name in August to more accurately reflect the Lake County nonprofit’s mission, the organization’s founder said.

The new name will be Keeping Families Covered. A new heart-shaped logo with more visual impact focused on family will reflect the change as well. 

When Ann Marie Mathis started Twice As Nice Mother & Child in the basement of her home 10 years ago, her idea was to find new homes for gently used children’s clothing and infant equipment such as strollers and pack ‘n plays. “The name really spoke to what I founded the organization on,” Mathis said. “But we do so much more than that now. I felt we needed a name that more accurately reflects the scope of our programs. We provide diapers, formula, baby gear, maternity wear, children’s clothing and shoes, books and now period supplies.”

The new more all-encompassing name and logo officially take effect Aug. 3, Mathis said. The organization will maintain its Waukegan offices and warehouse space at 3250-B N. Oak Grove Ave., Waukegan. Its website URL will be www.keepingfamiliescovered.org.

The organization also will maintain its increasingly attended mobile diaper pantry services, which have shifted to a drive-thru model because of COVID-19 safety precautions. A fourth site was added at The Chapel in Grayslake and distribution began there July 29. 

Mobile diaper pantry locations and times include the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first Wednesdays of the month; The Chapel in Grayslake, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. last Wednesdays of the month; Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep School in Waukegan, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. third Wednesdays of the month; and the Highwood Recreation Center, 4 to 5:30 p.m. every Friday in August, the second and fourth Fridays in September, and the second Fridays in October, November and December. To date this year, the nonprofit has distributed more than 200,000 diapers through its mobile diaper pantry program and more than 600,000 diapers through all programs, including on-site pickup from agency partners. With a goal of giving away 1 million diapers in 2020, the nonprofit is more than halfway there. The organization also has distributed more than 81,000 period supplies since beginning that program in May.

More than 1,800 children and 1,200 families are being served by the nonprofit every month, with requests for help coming in every day.

Need has dramatically increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mathis said.   “As we continue to navigate this global health crisis, the level of need in our community is greater than it has ever been,” she said. “More families are turning to us for help than ever before and we remain committed to meeting their needs. We offer hope in the midst of unimaginable crisis. From diapers, wipes and infant formula to maternity wear, children’s clothing and shoes, baby care equipment and now period supplies, we are keeping families covered.”

As a National Diaper Bank Network member, Mathis’ organization is able to buy diapers in bulk at a deep discount. Monetary donations are encouraged; the nonprofit also gratefully accepts diaper donations.

For more information, visit the website at www.twiceasnicemc.org or after Aug. 3, www.keepingfamiliescovered.org. You also can call 224-637-1644.

https://wgntv.com/2019/10/25/gurnee-woman-distributes-diapers-to-families-in-need

Lake County, Ill. — One in three families in the United States experiences diaper need, and a local mother is working to close the gap and making sure babies in her lake county community are clean, dry and healthy.

Ann Marie Mathis, one of Chicago’s Very Own, said she knows parenting is hard, but it’s even worse when someone lacks the basics.

Mathis is a mother of seven and knows firsthand the dent the price of diapers can make in your wallet. She said it can cost about $70 to $80 a month.  She said it’s an expense many families struggling financially simply cannot afford.

“Many safety net programs do not cover diapers, WIC and SNAP food stamps, those are food based programs so you can’t use those programs to purchase diapers, and currently there is no state or federal programs to assist with diaper need,” Mathis said.

Mathis is also the founder of Twice As Nice Mother & Child. The nonprofit has been donating children’s clothing and baby gear to local families since 2010. But after witnessing the increasing need for diapers in her community, she decided to expand the organization to include diaper distribution.

“We started diapers in 2014, that’s when we joined the National Diaper Bank Network which is a network of over 200 diaper banks around the country and we all work together to keep children, clean dry and healthy,” she said.

In just five years, Twice As Nice has donated 1.3 million diapers to families in the Lake County area, with nearly 600,000 donated this year alone.

In 2018, Mathis and her team of volunteers began taking the diaper bank to the streets, with a mobile diaper pantry. Parents who register for the program can pick up diapers directly twice a month.

“As a mom, I can’t imagine being in that position, you know? What would you do? If you use your last diaper and don’t have a way to get more?” she said.

Romesha Davis is a mother of three children, two still in diapers. She found out about the program from a friend. “There are a lot of single parents who need the help. I think it’s awesome that she came up with this idea,” she said.

With fundraising, grants and donations, Mathis keeps the expenses low, but it’s a family effort. Her husband Mike donated a portion of his company’s warehouse to store the pallets of diapers and Mathis donates her time. She does not take a salary, so everything she does is purely volunteer work.

“There’s limited resources for free diapers and there is limited help for people that need it,” Mathis said. “I think just being able to provide that makes a huge difference.”

If you would like to learn more about the program, you can visit twiceasnicemc.org.

In America almost 40m people—one eighth of its population—live in poverty. Why does the richest big country in the world still have so many people living in profound need? Find out more here:

WAUKEGAN — DAILY HERALD – Some lucky Twice As Nice Mother & Child clients are enjoying that luxurious, soft, new-socks feeling courtesy of a significant donation from Bombas.

Twice As Nice, a nonprofit based in Waukegan, helps families in crisis with basic needs such as diapers, wipes, infant formula and, typically, gently used clothing. After learning about New York City-based Bombas’ giving program, TANMC Executive Director Ann Marie Mathis completed an online application. And this June, four cases of brand new, small and extra small anklets and crews arrived.

Mathis and TANMC volunteers are distributing the socks at mobile diaper pantry sessions in Highwood, Gurnee and Waukegan until all 1,000 pairs are in the hands of the grateful parents the organization serves.

“For those with tight budgets, new socks aren’t a chief priority,” Mathis said. “When we started handing them out in Highwood on June 14, people were just ecstatic.

“Bombas works with organizations that serve the homeless and other at-risk communities,” Mathis continued. “The company was founded on the idea of donating a pair of socks for every pair they sold. To date, Bombas has donated over 10 million pairs. That is fantastic and we are so thankful to receive a donation from them.”

TANMC operates mobile diaper pantries from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. first Wednesdays at Warren-Newport Public Library, 224 O’Plaine Road, Gurnee; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. third Wednesdays at Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, 3106 Belvidere Road, Waukegan; and 4 to 5:30 p.m. second and fourth Fridays at the Highwood Recreation Center at 432 Green Bay Road.

Registration information and other details are available at twiceasnicemc.org, where those who would like to help the nonprofit also can find a donation portal.