BLOOMFIELD — The Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC’s Community Fund donated $17,450 across 12 local organizations in June, including $2,500 to Crawling to Cramps.
C2C serves the local community by offering diapers, feminine hygiene products, and other resources such as formula and wipes at no cost to participants. Additionally, clients can access a “free store” that provides used clothing, dishes, home decor, toys, and other household items. The concept of C2C was born in 2022 after studying the mission work of different religions, and the organization began distributing free resources in 2022.
According to the National Diaper Bank, around 33% of U.S. families experienced a diaper shortage in 2010. Ten years later, in 2023, that number rose to 47%. In addition to rising diaper insecurities for many U.S. families, the National Diaper Bank also reported that, on average, those experiencing diaper insecurity miss 5.1 workdays in a month or nearly $300 in lost wages for at minimum wage.
Samantha Edwards, operational director with C2C, discusses how donations contribute to the organization’s cause. “Without this kind of altruistic, kind, and thoughtful support from businesses and organizations like Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC, we would never be able to do the work we do. There would be no C2C.”
The grant awarded by UDWI will purchase diapers and wipes. It will continue to support the mission of providing resources for those in our community using a harm reduction and dignity-focused model. Distribution is located at 25 N. Franklin St. in Bloomfield for those in need. There, distribution occurs from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on each month’s second and fourth Wednesdays.
C2C always needs donations, community volunteers, and financial sponsors. Visit the C2C Facebook page(http://www.facebook.com/c2cGreene) to support its diaper program as well as the many initiatives C2C also leads throughout the year, including:
● Colt’s Birthday Club – To honor Colten David Scott Whelchel, C2C ensures every child has the supplies they need to celebrate their birthday.
● Bike Giveaway- C2C provides children with free new bikes in June.
● Prom Dress Giveaway- In March, C2C provides free prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, suits, and other prom necessities at a fun event where prom goers can try dresses on, take pics with their friends in front of a pretty photo backdrop, enjoy some hors d’oeuvres and drink sparkling grape juice.
● BacktoSchoolooza- In July, C2C provides local children with free new shoes, underwear, and socks.
● Sharing Shanty– C2C supports a free cabinet that is open 24/7/365 and contains toiletries, food, cleaning supplies, and secondhand items like blankets, movies, books, dishes, fans, and more available to those in need.
● The Coat Giveaway– C2C joined another local organization to pass out coats of all sizes, gloves, hats, scarves, heaters, tents, sleeping bags, blankets, food, toiletry items, and more.
“This donation means the world to C2C,” said Edwards. She explains how the UDWI REMC grant could impact the organization: “Babies will be diapered and healthy as parents go to school and work. This means that families can purchase food and pay utility bills. It means that Greene County and surrounding areas will have families with a more stable outlook about diapers and wipes for their children, and our local families can take a breath and feel dignity doing so.”
The grant was given as part of UDWI’s Community Fund, a non-profit organization created by the cooperative that provides members an avenue to make a difference in their communities. The program allows members to round up their energy bills to the next whole dollar to create the funds. Then, the community fund board awards the amount collected to local organizations.
Other recipients of Community Fund grants in June included Bloomfield First Baptist Church, Boy Scouts of America / Hoosier Trails Council, Eastern Greene Schools – Special Education Department, Extra Mile Ministries, First Baptist Church (Linton), Knights of Columbus Council #1166, Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services, Monroe County Humane Association, Open Arms Christian Ministries, Inc., Pregnancy Choices, and the Scotland Festival Committee.
The UDWI Community Fund is now accepting applications for its next grant cycle. All nonprofit businesses in UDWI’s service area are encouraged to apply. Please visit www.udwiremc.com to learn more about the program and to start an application.
