Baby pantry making a difference but more aid, volunteers needed.

CAROLYN ANDERSON is one of several volunteers
at the county Baby Pantry, located at 213 Lincoln St.
in Suttons Bay.

During the late afternoon on most Mondays, a crowd gathers at the corner of Madison and Lincoln streets in Suttons Bay.

“If you didn’t know better, you’d think there was a funeral going on or something,” said Jennifer VerSnyder of Immanuel Lutheran Church, which is host to the county baby pantry.

“Born” in 2002, the pantry was established when Sarah Jane Johnson of the Leelanau County Family Coordinating Council approached the church for space to use for the pantry. Because of its proximity to Leelanau Christian Neighbor’s Food Pantry (across the street at the Suttons Bay Congregational Church), clients could utilize both pantries in one visit if needed.

Mary Smith of Omena was one of those who stepped in to help.

“Our pastor said somebody should be down there welcoming people and I thought, ‘Oh, he’s talking to me,’” Smith said.

Smith thought she’d be serving coffee and cookies to volunteers in the pantry, then located in the basement of the church. But that didn’t last long.

“I played with the kids while their mothers looked around,” the 86-year-old woman explained. “I can’t do that any more, but I do what I can to make sure people know about it.”

Racks and racks of clothing hang neatly in the pantry, now located two doors north of the church. There’s also diapers, wipes, formula, jarred baby food, shampoo, soap, toys, slings, bassinets … nearly anything a mother or dad would need. One item that isn’t accepted for safety reasons: Used car seats, though brand-new ones are being taken.

“So often, you think of ‘bag people’ as the types of people using these services,” Smith said. “But these moms are not ‘bag ladies’ — these are people who just can’t make ends meet.”

Smith said the pantry has more for the families than staples like diapers or goods. It offers positive interaction with others.

“It’s an opportunity for them to be shown kindness,” Smith said. “They can talk with each other and share ideas.”

The site is more frequently becoming the depository for businesses and organizations that conduct drives for the baby pantry. The Leland Mercantile is collecting diapers for the pantry. In conjunction with Mother’s Day, The Blackbird in Suttons Bay and Leland is having its own “Moms Helping Moms” donation drive Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this week. In exchange for donations of anything “baby related,” guests will receive a coupon for 20 percent off a store item.

“Everybody needs help right now,” said Laura DeGue of The Blackbird. “It’s a good opportunity to focus on moms. Every little bit helps.”

Recently, the pantry received a donation of items collected in a drive at Glen Lake School. Items collected ranged from the smallest pair of “Ugg” boots for little feet, to a baby mattress.

“People are incredibly generous,” VerSnyder said.

A core group of volunteers has been staffing the pantry, but more are needed.

“Volunteers are welcome to bring their children,” Smith said.

Rising utility costs are also affecting the bottom line for the organization. The pantry will benefit from a “bring’em and buy’em” perennial plant sale on Saturday, May 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The sale will be held in the church parking lot.

The public is encouraged to lend support to the event through the donation or purchase of perennial plant splittings sale during the sale. Labeled plant splits may be brought to the church Monday through Saturday next week. Proceeds from the event will be matched by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.

Donations may also be sent to Immanuel Lutheran, P.O. Box 206, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 with “baby pantry” in the memo.