CHICAGO TRIBUNE – With government at all levels ignoring the safety of those they are supposed to protect and serve, no wonder more and more of us are turning to non-governmental organizations for aid. You’re likely to get more help from a charitable group than from your local tax-supported government agency.

Examples range from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services falling down on the job, to the environmental bureaucrats who told New York City first-responders after 9/11 that it was safe for them to work at Ground Zero, to Lake County officials dumbfounded about the ethylene oxide dangers facing their residents.

When it comes to aid and assistance, it does take a village as Hillary Clinton once told us. Especially from friends and neighbors, on whom you normally can depend.

Which leads to one non-governmental organization in Lake County where folks are getting their money’s worth in an unlikely arena: Twice As Nice Mother & Child distributes free packs of diapers along with childcare items to young families in need.

With little help from government, the agency’s 14 or so volunteers have handed out more than 1 million baby diapers in Lake County. It marked its one-year anniversary this spring of providing pop-up mobile diaper pantries in Waukegan, Gurnee and Highwood. It relies on fundraising events, diaper drives and cash donations to fulfill its mission ensuring every child has enough diapers.

“I knew there was a need, but when I think about how many families and children we’re helping … it has blown my mind just how successful it’s been,” stated Executive Director Ann Marie Mathis of Gurnee, who founded the nonprofit in 2010. “It’s just overwhelming.”

Mobile diaper pantry distributions take place once a month at the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee; and once a month at the Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep school, 3106 Belvidere Road, Waukegan; as well as twice a month at the Highwood Recreation Center, 432 Green Bay Road.

WAUKEGAN, IL — THE DAILY HERALD – A Lake County nonprofit has a million reasons to smile, after it hit a massive milestone last month. Twice As Nice Mother & Child distributed its millionth diaper during a mobile diaper pantry distribution in Highwood, the organizations founder and Executive Director Ann Marie Mathis said, in a release sent to Patch.

“We have distributed 174,000 diapers through the mobile diaper pantry alone,” said Mathis, in a release. “We are at 271,493 year-to-date through our mobile and on-site programs. And we are on track to hit half a million this year.”

The mobile program is just 13 months old, and distributions from it take place monthly in Waukegan and Gurnee, and twice monthly in Highwood, according to a release. In addition to the mobile program, TANMC works with 33 primarily Lake County and a few Cook County agencies for its on-site program.

TANMC has come a long way from its 23,934 diapers distributed in 2013, and 75,000 handed out in 2015; the first full year after TANMC became part of the National Diaper Bank Network, according to a release. Becoming part of that network enabled TANMC to take advantage of preferred purchasing programs, a release said.

“Diapers are a basic need that is often overlooked,” Mathis said, according to a release. “There’s a common misconception in the community that there’s got to be a government program that assists with diaper need, but that is not true. Neither food stamps nor WIC covers diapers.”

Mathis attributes the rapid rise to both greater awareness of TANMC’s programs and an increase in the need for diapers among the population served. According to the National Diaper Bank Network statistics, one in three U.S. families experiences diaper need.

“People experience financial hardships,” Mathis said, in a release sent to Patch. “Maybe the main breadwinner lost a job, or there’s an illness or someone is a single parent and is not receiving support. Or maybe it’s all of the above,” Mathis added. “People who are struggling to make ends meet need our help so they can keep their children clean, dry and healthy. We recognized this need and we’re doing what we can.”

While Mathis said diaper drives and cash donations are appreciated, TANMC relies on grants and community support to achieve its goal of “supplying diapers to all who seek the assistance within the Lake County area served,” according to the release. Being part of the National Diaper Bank Network allows the nonprofit to purchase diapers for less than half of retail cost, Mathis added.

TANMC’s largest annual fundraising event- Bottoms up for Babies – is less than four months away. It will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sept. 27 at The Shanty Restaurant in Wadsworth, according to a release. Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com and at twiceasnicemc.org, and all proceeds support diaper distribution programs.

For more information, call TANMC at 224-637-1644 or visit twiceasnicemc.org, where you can also find a cash donation portal.

LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is hosting a diaper drive that will lead up to Mother’s Day, concluding on May 11.

All diapers collected will be donated to Twice As Nice Mother & Child, a nonprofit organization that distributes more than a quarter million diapers each year to families in need throughout Lake County. 

“Diapers are imperative to ensuring families have ample opportunity to succeed in life. Oftentimes, quality child care facilities will not accept a child into their program if that child will not be brought with his or her own supply of diapers,” Mason said in a news release. “This can lead to many already struggling parents being unable to find steady, secure employment because they are lacking viable child care options.”

Residents interested in participating in the drive can bring diapers to Mason’s office at 36100 Brookside Drive in Gurnee during regular business hours. To find an alternative time or location to donate, contact Mason’s constituent service office at 847-485-9986 or email info@repjoycemason.com. 

“I am a single mother myself. I understand that there are countless, complex issues facing families today, but being forced to choose between buying diapers or buying baby formula should not be one of them,” Mason said in the release. “Children deserve to grow up in healthy, nurturing environments, and parents deserve to have the ability to give that to them.” 

GURNEE, Ill. – State Rep. Joyce Mason, D-Gurnee, is kicking off a diaper drive this Monday, April 22. The diaper drive will lead up to Mother’s Day, concluding on Saturday, May 11. All diapers collected will be donated to Twice As Nice Mother & Child, a non-profit organization that distributes over a quarter million diapers each year to families in need throughout Lake County.

“Diapers are imperative to ensuring families have ample opportunity to succeed in life. Oftentimes, quality child care facilities will not accept a child into their program if that child will not be brought with his or her own supply of diapers,” said Mason. “This can lead to many already struggling parents being unable to find steady, secure employment because they are lacking viable child care options.”

Mason’s diaper drive will help to eliminate some of those unseen obstacles that prevent families in need from achieving a higher quality of life. Residents interested in participating in the drive can bring diapers to Mason’s office at 36100 Brookside Dr. in Gurnee during regular business hours. To find an alternative time or location to donate, please contact Mason’s constituent service office at 847-485-9986 or email info@repjoycemason.com.

“I am a single mother myself. I understand that there are countless, complex issues facing families today, but being forced to choose between buying diapers or buying baby formula should not be one of them,” said Mason. “Children deserve to grow up in healthy, nurturing environments, and parents deserve to have the ability to give that to them.”

Daily North Shore—You’ve heard about the popularity of food trucks. How about a van filled with diapers?

Given that one in three families in the United States is in need of diapers, a non-profit organization called Twice As Nice Mother & Child is launching a mobile diaper pantry on Wednesday, April 18 to bring diapers to the Lake County community.

Twice As Nice Mother & Child, based in Gurnee, provides diapers to more than 2,000 children across 31 ZIP codes in Lake County.

“One shocking statistic that most people don’t realize is that safety net programs like WIC and food stamps can’t be used to buy diapers, so if you have a family that’s struggling to make ends meet, it’s more difficult to provide this basic need for their kids,” said Ann Marie Mathis, founder/executive director.

Mathis, the mom of seven kids under age nine, started Twice As Nice Mother & Child in 2010 because she felt blessed to have the means to provide whatever her kids needed, and she knew many people weren’t as fortunate.

Mathis said parenting is challenging enough without having to worry about providing basic needs for children. She also had concerns about donating her children’s gently used items to other charitable organizations.

“I think when we make donations sometimes, we take for granted that they go where they tell you they’re going to go,” said Mathis.  “I just wanted to make sure that these items got into the hands of the people that really needed them.”

This motivated Mathis to research how to start a non-profit, and she began collecting items from her basement, as donations poured in from family, friends and neighbors. Soon she outgrew her basement and moved her inventory into a storage facility.

During this process she realized that there were things beyond clothing, shoes and baby gear that families needed; hence, Twice As Nice Mother & Child evolved into distributing diapers, wipes and formula.

Mathis said it wasn’t until Twice As Nice Mother & Child joined the National Diaper Bank Network in 2014 that she realized what a significant problem diaper need really is in the United States.

“An infant averages 10 to 12 diapers a day and a toddler is around seven to eight, so you can easily go through about 100 diapers a week if you have an infant,” said Mathis. “The average cost of diapers for a family is between $80 and $100 per month per child.”

There are no state or federal assistance programs for diaper need. Though Illinois is working on reducing the amount of sales tax on diapers, Mathis said that’s not going to alleviate the problem.

Huggies is a founding sponsor of the National Diaper Bank Network, so it provides most of the diapers and pull-ups for Twice As Nice Mother & Child, while other brands are accepted strictly by donations.  Twice As Nice Mother & Child purchases about 90 percent of the diapers that it distributes, and 10 percent are donated through either individuals or drives that they host.

Unfortunately, complications can ensue from families who misuse their diapers.

“Sometimes families with limited resources try to make their diapers stretch as long as possible, which means they don’t change them as often or try to reuse the diapers,” said Mathis. “Then it just leads to health problems and unexpected medical expenses, which further entrenches them in that cycle of poverty.”

She added that another misconception is that larger sized diapers or pull-ups will last longer, but more often than not they leak. Diapers and pull-ups need to be properly sized.

Twice As Nice Mother & Child is a 100 percent volunteer-run organization, and Mathis works with 10 0ther volunteers. Her four older children — ages nine, eight, six and almost five — also help out on packing, sorting and bagging days. In addition, she takes them to some events.

“In today’s society, it’s nice for kids to see that sometimes people struggle, and to show them that it’s important to give back to the less fortunate,” said Mathis. “Getting involved in your community in some way should be a part of their growing up process, because it’s important to take care of people when you have a chance to.”

In 2017, the organization distributed 200,000 diapers to Lake County families, which Mathis said was about 100,000 more than the previous year.

“This year we’re on target to probably hit the 300,000 mark (with the mobile diaper pantry program). I’ve been working on this idea since last year and through the support of Lake County Community Foundation with a grant, as well as the two distribution sites that we’re partnering with, it’s become a reality.”

Mathis said Twice As Nice Mother & Child’s goal is to make distributions via the mobile pantry twice a month. She explained that the organization’s hope is to connect Lake County residents that don’t have transportation or are busy working or going to school, with their programs through the mobile pantries.

The two mobile diaper pantries will begin distribution on Wednesday, April 18 at Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee from 9 to 11 a.m. and Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep in Waukegan from 12 to 2 p.m. Distributions will be outdoors at both sites utilizing the organization’s van. Registration and identification is required for parents and children. Acceptable forms of identification for parents include a driver’s license, state ID or military ID. Birth certificates and medical cards are acceptable for children.

Parents will also need to present their ID at any future diaper distribution days. Families will receive one supply of diapers and wipes for each child wearing diapers which are available on a first come, first served basis. Future distribution dates will be posted on the organization’s Facebook page and website.

For more information call 224-637-1644 or visit: www.twiceasnicemc.org.

three nonprofit organizations who are helping people during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Lake County Community Crisis Relief Fund.

Twice As Nice Mother and Child was given $75,000 to support an increase in demand for diapers, wipes and formula in Lake County. PADS Lake County was awarded $60,000 to support staffing capacity to help the organization handle the increase in homelessness. And Mano a Mano Family Resource Center was awarded $15,000 to provide direct assistance to immigrant individuals and families for expenses including housing, health care, food, child care, transportation and mandatory immigration fees.

To learn more or support the Relief Fund, visit lakecountycf.org/lake-county-community-crisis-relief-fund.

https://wgntv.com/news/chicagos-very-own/as-demand-for-diapers-grow-woman-helps-families-in-need

WAUKEGAN – One in three families in the U.S struggle to provide clean diapers for their children.   Now with the COVID-19 pandemic fueling unemployment, diaper need is on the rise.   

But the founder of a Lake County diaper bank is working tirelessly to meet that need.  

For six years now, Ann Marie Mathis and her organization have been handing out diapers to area families in need. 

”Safety net programs like food stamps and WICK – you can’t use those for diapers They are food based programs,” she said.

With the coronavirus pandemic upon us and unemployment at a record high,  Mathis said families can’t afford the $70 to $80 monthly cost.  The nonprofit Twice As Nice Mother and Child has been inundated with requests for diapers.

“I think COVID 19 has disproportionately impacted children and families who lack access to basic needs diapers and other necessities,” Mathis said.

With an average distribution of 70,000 diapers a month the agency is expecting that number to nearly double by the end of April.   

“We have received over 150 requests just at our mobile pantry alone in the last two weeks,” Mathis said. “Because of panic buying, hoarding, joblessness  – obviously that has an impact on supply.”

That lack of supply didn’t deter Mathis. Instead it only motivated her to hit the pavement in search of new suppliers. And she has now moved to curbside pickup for partnering agencies. 

But the biggest adjustment has been to the mobile diaper distribution she offers several times a month in Highwood, Waukegan and Gurnee. 

 “We’ve had to shift to a drive through program,” she said.

The drive through program allows pre-approved clients to safely pick up diapers.

Although the pandemic has presented new challenges, Mathis, a busy mother of 7, said there is greater need now more than ever and she’s confident that she will be able to fill the diaper gap and make life just a little easier for families.

“It’s just important we help these families in any way we can,” she said.

More information on donations here

LAKE COUNTY JOURNAL GURNEE – Twice As Nice Mother & Child, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to providing basic needs to families in crisis, is teaming up with local businesses to Deck the Halls with Diapers to combat diaper need in Lake County. The goal is to collect 20,000 diapers in the month of December through diaper drives held by 20 businesses in Lake County. Diaper need affects one in three families regardless of age, race or in-come and safety net programs such as food stamps and WIC do not cover diapers. Families that have an inadequate supply of clean diapers must often leave their children in a single diaper all day, which can result in diaper rash and other detrimental health issues. “Diapers are an ongoing and high priority need for many families, but especially those that are experiencing financial hardship,” Ann Marie Mathis, founder and executive director of Twice As Nice Mother & Child, said in a news release. “Those families must often choose between buying diapers, paying bills or getting groceries. Over 36 percent of parents living in poverty routinely run out of diapers for their children and few resources exist to help them. With a cost between $80 and $100 per month per child, diapers are an expense that many families struggle to afford.”

As a member of the National Diaper Bank Network, the organization pro-vides diapers at no charge. The organization, which is run entirely by volunteers, distributes more than 100,000 diapers to families every year – and this year it will hit the 200,000 mark, according to the release. Lake County businesses that will be accepting diaper donations for Twice As Nice Mother & Child through Dec. 31 during normal business hours include The Law Offices of David R. Del Re, 200 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Waukegan; Veteran Carpet Cleaning, 10 N. Lake St., Grayslake; KinderCare Learning Center, 6480 Gurnee Mills Circle West, Gurnee; L Studio Lash & Skin Care Boutique, 443 E. Park Ave., Libertyville; Fresh Salon, 71 S. Whitney St., Grayslake; Diamond Residential Mortgage, 533 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville; Mowery & Schoen-feld LLC, 475 Half Day Road, Suite 250, Lincolnshire; North Shore Pro-Active Health, 112 Lake St., Libertyville; MB Financial Bank, 1620 Milwaukee Ave., Vernon Hills; Lake County Cares, 400 E. Illinois Road Lake Forest; First American Bank, 7005 Grand Ave., Gurnee; Mercer, 544 Lakeview Park-way, Suite 300, Vernon Hills; The Exer-cise Coach, 6695 Grand Ave., Gurnee; Fidelity National Title, 1800 Nations Drive, Suite 209, Gurnee; Hunt Club Community Center, 920 N. Hunt Club Road, Gurnee; Viking Park, 4374 Old Grand Ave., Gurnee; FitNation, 1655 Nations Drive, Gurnee; Apex Signs & Graphics, 37 Sherwood Terrace, Suite 124, Lake Bluff; ASF Financial Services, 1800 Nations Drive, No. 117, Gurnee; and Gurnee Village Hall, 325 O’Plaine Road, Gurnee. Secure monetary donations can be made via the organization’s website at www.twiceasnicemc.org. A gift of $50 will provide a child with 200 diapers, which is a one-month supply. Diapers also can be dropped off at Twice As Nice Mother & Child’s office at 4185 Grove Ave. in Gurnee (call for details) or bought through the organization’s “wish list” on Amazon. All donations are tax deductible. For in-formation about Twice As Nice Mother & Child, please call 224-637-1644 or visit www.twiceasnicemc.org.

WAUKEGAN — Reaching more young families in need was top of mind when Ann Marie Mathis added a mobile diaper pantry to the offerings of her then 8-year-old Lake County-based nonprofit, Twice As Nice Mother & Child.

Never in her wildest dreams, though, did she foresee the exponentially swift rise in the pantry’s reach.

From 150 diapers handed out at that first cold, blustery session April 18, 2018, to upwards of 9,000 per session at the pantry’s monthly Waukegan and Gurnee distributions today — plus another 1,000 at each of two Highwood sessions monthly — the growth rate is staggering.

“It’s just overwhelming,” said Mathis. “I knew there was a need, but when I think about how many families and children we’re helping … it has blown my mind just how successful it’s been.”

Pantry volunteers are celebrating the program’s anniversary this month by handing out large, durable tote bags with the TANMC logo at each distribution. The bags not only should raise awareness and cut waste, but also will save the nonprofit money as clients reuse them, Mathis said.

Mathis started TANMC in her family’s basement in 2010. Now located at 3250-B N. Oak Grove Ave., Waukegan, the organization assists families in crisis with diapers and other basic needs. By late March, 131,475 diapers had been distributed in the pantry’s first 11 months, with 555 families and 753 children registered.

“We started the mobile pantry with our minivan,” Mathis said. “Now we use our minivan plus a 16-foot trailer that belongs to the husband of one of my volunteers. We’re in the market for a larger, dedicated truck for this program.”

Mobile diaper pantry distributions take place once a month at the Warren-Newport Public Library in Gurnee and once a month at the Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep school in Waukegan, as well as twice a month at the Highwood Recreation Center. Specific dates and times, as well as registration information, can be found at twiceasnicemc.org.

One-time registration with parent and child identification is necessary to receive services, Mathis said, adding that the data collected tracks areas of highest need and ensures accountability for grant providers.

“People can come twice a month and can receive up to 100 diapers or 50 pull-ups per child per month through the mobile pantry program,” Mathis said. “Our goal is to get diapers into the hands of families who need them.”

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 5.2 million children in the U.S. aged 3 or younger live in poor or low-income families, and one in three U.S. families experiences diaper need. Safety net programs such as food stamps and WIC do not cover diapers, leaving some parents to choose between food and utilities or diapers. Many resort to leaving dirty diapers on a child longer than is healthy.

“I can’t tell you how many parents say ‘I don’t know what I would do without this,” Mathis said of those who arrive in mobile diaper pantry lines or otherwise request diaper assistance. “It’s very rewarding to know you’re helping not only the parents but the children as well with such a basic need.”

TANMC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and accepts cash donations as well as donations of packaged diapers and pull-ups in all sizes. Learn more about ways to help at twiceasnicemc.org. For other information, send email to info@twiceasnicmc.org or call 224-637-1644.

Remaining April Distributions

• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep, 3106 Belvidere Road, Waukegan.

• 4-5:30 p.m. Friday, April 26, Highwood Recreation Center, 432 Green Bay Road, Highwood.

LAKE COUNTRY JOURNAL GURNEE – Ann Marie Mathis knows how fortunate she has been throughout her life. So when she saw how many Lake County families were struggling to provide their children with basic necessities, she knew she had to do something to help them. Mathis, a Wadsworth resident, left a lucrative job in corporate America about five years ago to run the organization she founded, Twice As Nice Mother & Child. The Gurnee-based, all-volunteer nonprofit provides needy families with gently used children’s clothing and shoes, baby gear, maternity clothing, children’s books, infant formula, diapers and wipes. Mathis, 45, began realizing how many families were struggling after she became a mother. She said she would often donate her children’s used items but was unsure of where they were going or if they were ending up in the right hands. So she created Twice As Nice Mother & Child in 2010 and left her full-time job in 2012 to commit herself to the organization. “That made me think about what I could do to help these moms and kids, but do it free of charge,” said Mathis, a mother of six with another due in February. “Even double-income families were faced with this. I’m lucky enough to have a great support system and it bothered me that others were having these issues. This is my job, but I don’t get a salary. It’s not about money, it’s about helping others. And that’s more rewarding than any corporate job I’ve ever held. You can’t put a price tag on being able to help people every day.” Twice As Nice serves between 150 and 200 families every month, many of whom are below the federal poverty line. It does not operate on a drop-in basis but partners with many social service agencies around the area to connect with needy families. The agencies submit requests to Mathis on behalf of their clients. She and her volunteers fill the requests for the case workers, who deliver the items to the clients. Twice As Nice does offer direct services to families, but they must undergo an internal intake process. Twice As Nice receives a steady supply of gently used clothing and shoe donations from partnerships with resale shops, moms groups and school groups, but it needs cash donations to purchase diapers. Mathis said diapers have become the largest part of the business and Twice As Nice is a certified diaper bank. “Our goal is to keep kids clean, dry and healthy. We donate more than 100,000 diapers a year, and WIC and food stamps don’t cover diapers,” she said. “Diaper need affects one in three families and most people don’t realize that. We purchase 90 percent of the diapers and formula we give out. Our budget is limited, so we’re trying to do more fundraising and writing grants.” Gary Kwiecinski has been volunteering at Twice As Nice since 2014. He said Mathis is very dedicated to helping others in need. “Her organization provides assistance to many families and she’s committed to growing Twice As Nice to reach even more families in crisis. Ann Marie does this all and also has time to raise a family. She is an inspiration to others,” he said. Jordan Del Re wanted to volunteer at Twice As Nice be-cause she felt it was important to give back to her community and thought it was a perfect opportunity to make a difference. “I feel very lucky to have found such an amazing charity to volunteer for in my community and have been blessed to call Ann Marie a wonderful friend and neighbor,” Del Re said. “It’s very humbling to see Ann Marie’s dedication for her charity. Her commitment to helping others is like nothing I’ve ever seen. Ann Marie goes above and beyond to help others.” The number of clients Twice As Nice serves continues to grow every year. Mathis is hoping that word will continue to spread in the area about the organization, so more people can donate and more needy families can be served. “When I started this organization seven years ago, I never expected it to grow as rapidly as it has. I think that more and more people are becoming aware of what we do and the positive impact we’ve had in the community. I’m really proud of that,” she said. “The clients are incredibly grateful and it makes me feel amazing. I’ve never been in that situation and it’s heartbreaking. I can’t imagine what it would be like, but I know if I was in that situation, I’d hope there would be an organization like this to help me. I’m happy to help any family that is in need of the items we provide.”