We are St. Luke’s Diaper Bank.
St. Luke’s Diaper Bank began as a diaper drive in fall 2015, collecting diapers to be distributed to area nonprofits. At the conclusion of that drive, community members formed a diaper bank that could provide families with a consistent supply of diapers. SLDB has grown substantially since 2015. In 2021, we distributed the one millionth diaper!
Our Mission
The mission of the St. Luke’s Diaper Bank is to supply diapers and diapering supplies to families experiencing diaper need and living with the pressures of economic inequity. SLDB provides diapers to families directly, and through collaborative partnerships with other organizations. St. Luke’s Diaper Bank is deeply committed to cultural humility, and will work to end the experience of diaper need in Kalamazoo through advocacy, community education and capacity-building, and the provision of diapers and diapering supplies.
Staff
Evan Asher
Program Manager
Esther Gachiri
Distribution Coordinator
J Ludeker
Volunteer Coordinator
Board of Directors
Kathy Hogg
Board Secretary
Donna James
Church Liaison
Mable Pulu
William James
John Bradford
How We’re Funded
St. Luke’s Diaper Bank is a recipient of grants from generous funders in our community. These funders include United Way of South Central Michigan, Stryker Johnston Foundation, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, ENNA Foundation, and Okun Foundation. We also receive corporate sponsorships, including support from Priority Health. We are so grateful for the support of these funders, which makes our work possible.
Associations
We are a proud member of the National Diaper Bank Network. The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring that children, families, and individuals in the United States have access to the basic necessities required to remain healthy and to thrive in daily life.
St Luke’s was founded in 1837 and has been proudly supporting the Kalamazoo community and local Kalmazoo organizations since then. When the knowledge about diaper need was brought to them a number of years ago, they were eager to help. The concept of helping God’s littlest children is something the church has always believed in and by partnering with the Diaper Bank, they are able to help lots of children in need.