When members of the Britton Presbyterian Church began looking for ways to minister to young families in the community, they identified a basic need that was going unmet: diapers.
“Our church had been thinking and praying on a way to minister to young families who were possibly struggling economically,” said church elder and former interim pastor Lance Griese.
Church members also talked with the county health nurse and learned that while baby formula was available through local resources, diapers were not.
That conversation helped spark the church’s diaper and wipes ministry, which began in June 2025 and has now been serving local families for about a year.
Heidi Eimers, a church member and one of the giveaway organizers, said the idea was discussed during a church session meeting. “We had talked in our session, the local food pantry doesn’t have diapers,” Eimers said. “We knew it was a need in the community, and a bunch of us in that group are moms and thought it would be a good ministry.”
After about a month of discussion and research, Eimers reached out to a church in Virginia that operates a similar program to learn how it runs its ministry. The church provided ideas that helped the Britton congregation get started.
The first diaper drive was held at the church in June 2025, with members and community residents donating diapers and money. The Britton-Hecla Student Council also made a large donation, giving the ministry a strong start.
Today, the giveaway is held twice a month, generally every other Saturday, in the church basement at 804 5th Street in Britton. Church members volunteer to staff the giveaway, with two people present at each event.
The ministry offers diapers from premature sizes through size 8, along with training pants and wipes. Supplies are divided into smaller boxes for families to take home.
There are no income or residency requirements. The ministry primarily serves families from Marshall County, but Eimers said families from Brown County and even North Dakota have also received assistance.
“If there is a need, we want to provide it,” she said. “If they need them and we have it, we won’t turn them out.”
The ministry serves about 50 families, with new families regularly coming through the doors. Attendance varies from week to week, with some giveaways serving eight families and others two or three.
Eimers said volunteers have received positive feedback from families, including grandparents who come in to get supplies for their grandchildren. Some of the youngest visitors have been babies only a few days old.
All interactions are kept confidential, Eimers said, so families can receive help without concern about their personal circumstances being shared.
The ministry is supported through church and community donations. It received a startup grant and was awarded a grant from the Britton Area Foundation earlier this year. Other churches have also contributed.
“The support from the community has been wonderful,” Griese said. “We are very appreciative of all the help we’ve received.”
The church continues to accept donations of diapers, wipes and monetary contributions. Donations can be brought to the Presbyterian Church or left at Dizzy Blondz on Main Street in Britton. Those interested in donating can also contact Eimers. They also hope to do another drive in the near future.
“We are happy to show the love of Christ through this ministry,” Griese said.
The next diaper giveaways will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, and Saturday, Sept. 26.
