If you are interested in contributing to this ministry, these items are consistently needed:

• diapers
  (newborn to 5)
• baby wipes
• baby wash
• baby lotion
• crib sheets
• plastic baby bottles
  (4 to 8 oz.)
• bibs
• onesies
  (S, M, or L)
• pacifiers
• baby bath towels

The Kathy L. Hutchins
Infant Resource Center

The Infant Resource Center (IRC) is a ministry of Immanuel Baptist Church focused on sharing God’s unconditional love in a practical way with families of children up to 18 months of age who are struggling financially to provide basic needs for their children.

The IRC offers all types of assistance including infant clothing (up to size 24 months), diapers, diaper wipes, blankets, bottles, baby lotion, baby wash, formula, shoes, socks, bibs, etc.

Eligibility is determined by an interview process. A picture ID (such as a driver's license) of the parent or guardian and a copy of the infant's birth certificate (hospital birth certificate accepted) are required. In the case of guardianship, the guardian must provide a copy of the guardianship papers.

Clients are referred to the IRC from social service agencies, former and current  clients, friends, relatives, physicians' offices, hospitals and family resource centers. Clients are served by appointment (call the IRC office at 223-7630 to schedule).

The IRC is open on Mondays (12:30PM - 3:30 PM) and Wednesdays (10:30 am - 4:00 pm) except for holidays, and is located on the second floor of Immanuel Baptist Church. On other weekdays, clients may leave messages through the answering service and their calls will be returned.

What Do IRC Volunteers Do?

Generally, a group of committed volunteers sort clothing, shop for supplies, fill orders, launder donated clothing and do other errands and tasks as needed. Many other members of Immanuel are involved in this ministry through the donation of infant items, funding and/or performing various services to assist in its operation.

Specifically, volunteers are asked to come in on their assigned day to assist the IRC Director in filling orders or helping put away clothing or other infant items. 

A schedule is mailed to the volunteer staff each quarter, and volunteers are generally not asked to serve more than twice in any one quarter. Preferences for which day of the week best suits volunteers’ schedules are also taken into consideration. If a volunteer is unable to come in on their assigned day, trading with another volunteer or calling a sub generally takes care of the problem.

When a client calls or shows up, the IRC director interviews the client to determine eligibility and assistance needed, and fills out the order form showing the items needed. This order form is then given to the volunteer so that she/he can gather the requested items from the items stocked on the IRC shelves. Once the order is assembled, it is returned to the director who finalizes any other paperwork and gets the order to the client.

Volunteers are also asked to sort any new or used clothing that is donated, separating the clothing into summer or winter items and matching outfits according to sizes. The outfits are then put on the shelves in their appropriate size category.

Volunteers also mark through bar codes of donated items such as diapers, wipes, baby wash, etc. Occasionally, volunteers are asked to do “light laundry" or "light mending" for small quantities of clothing that need to be soaked and washed, or to have buttons sewn on.

The above descriptions of tasks may appear to be formal, but in reality there is a great deal of flexibility and fun for volunteers who help staff this important ministry. If you are interested in volunteering (we'd LOVE to have you join us!) or need more information, please contact Anna Mayne, IRC Director.

Contact Information

Interested in donating items or volunteering services to the IRC? Contact Anna Mayne by calling the IRC office (223-7630) or the church office at (223-7601).