Bare Necessities
Bare Necessities meets the first Wednesday of each month from 4:30 pm in the Rectory.
We do not usually meet in July and December
All are welcome to come and participate during any or all of that time.
We want to share some exciting changes with our Bare Necessities ministry. We have spent the last several years providing diaper and feminine hygiene kits to women around the world. Moving forward, we are planning to take away the diaper kit piece, keep the feminine hygiene piece, and add on activity blankets for dementia patients. This change is born out of a request from the hospice provider our church has partnered with (the same one that we connect with for the monthly food gathering), as well as a number of church members, and loved ones of church members, affected by this disease. These blankets are similar to toddler activity blankets you may have seen, with bells, different textures, zippers, small stuffed animals, etc. We will begin working on these activity blankets at our November 2019 meeting.
Bare Necessities wrapped up its fourth year of service and here are some numbers:
2015 95 Diaper kits 79 Feminine hygiene kits 4 Newborn kits
2016 110 Diaper kits 128 Feminine hygiene kits 2 Newborn kits
2017 68 Diaper kits 377 Feminine hygiene kits 1 Newborn kit
2018 65 Diaper kits 63 Feminine hygiene kits 2 Newborn kits
2019 35 Diaper kits 53 Feminine Hygiene kits 2 Newborn kits
The Bare Necessities ministry works to make a difference in the world by sewing reusable diaper and feminine hygiene kits. These kits are then distributed globally through Sisters of Mercy and independent missionaries. Since its inception Bare Necessities has sent kits to Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean. We also provide kits to Hickory Nut Gorge Outreach for local distribution.
Gifts to make our Bare Necessities ministry possible have come in so many forms: monetary donations, supply donations, work days, "shoppers", people sewing and cutting out patterns at home, prayers, etc.
Each diaper kit is contains two waterproof and size adjustable diaper covers, 10 cloth wipes, 10 diapers and 4 diaper pins. Items are packaged in a backpack style bag. Each hygiene kit contains 2 waterproof breathable shields that hold flannel absorbers, 10 absorbers, 2 pair of panties, and a hair elastic. These kits are also sent in the muslin bags.
We also make newborn kits which include a handmade fleece toy, hat and blanket. Thse are distributed in the Hickory Nut Gorge as a "welcome to the world" gift.
If you, or someone you know, is traveling on a mission trip and would be interested in taking diaper or feminine hygiene kits, please email us at barenecessitiesteam@ectransfiguration.org.
As this ministry continues, please keep it in your prayers.