CHARLOTTE — For nearly 35 years, Catholic Charities Diocese of Charlotte has served new mothers in need with a Wee Care Shoppe located in Winston-Salem providing clothing, blankets, bottles, diapers, wipes and other needed supplies to families with babies.
Now Catholic Charities’ Lenoir office has opened a similar Wee Care Shoppe to help people living in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba counties who are struggling to provide essentials for their children especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic.
For parents of infants and young children, buying diapers, baby wipes and clothing are major, unavoidable expenses. Diaper purchases alone can make up a significant percentage of a family’s monthly budget, as the yearly cost of diapers can range from $600 to more than $1,000 per child.
“Families are struggling to make ends meet, even families where one or two parents are working,” notes Joe Purello, director of the Office of Social Concerns and Advocacy for Catholic Charities.
Distributing essential items for infants and toddlers of families in need really helps bridge the gap. In just the first quarter of 2021, Catholic Charities’ Lenoir office assisted 46 households – a total of 201 people.
Purello says that in Lenoir, “Participants who pick up the diapers or who come for the diaper/infant supply distribution include moms, dads and sometimes grandparents.”
Becky DuBois, regional office director in Winston-Salem, credits the generosity of individuals, parish ministries and other groups who have donated new or gently-used items to the Wee Care Shoppe to support families in caring for their babies.
“We all know it is expensive to clothe and diaper babies, who quickly grow and need larger sizes. The Wee Care Shoppe Ministry can help reduce stress for parents,” she said.
According to Winston-Salem volunteer Judy Moore, the effect the ministry has on moms is tangible.
It is “so heartwarming to see the happiness and relief in a mother’s eyes when she finds needed clothing and shoes for her child, and she knows that they are hers free of charge,” she said. “As a Catholic agency we are pro-life. We need to support mothers, especially those who have chosen life instead of abortion.”
Christine Bohle, who also serves families in Winston-Salem, adds, “I volunteer in the Wee Care Shoppe because I know I make a difference in these peoples’ lives. The smiles and thank yous from caregivers is something no paycheck could ever match.”
In Forsyth County, Triad Baby Love Plus provides case management services and referrals to community resources to families with newborns to infants up to 18 months old. They frequently refer families to the Wee Care Shoppe to obtain baby supplies.
Baby Love Plus recently thanked Catholic Charities Wee Care Shoppe for its assistance, quoting Matthew 25:35 in their acknowledgment: “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me.”
“You invited our participants into your Wee Care Shoppe and allowed us to shop for baby formula, Pampers and clothing, and other needed supplies. We’d like to say ‘thanks’ for showing your support,” the agency said.
— SueAnn Howell, Senior reporter
Want to donate?
Wee Care relies heavily on donations from individuals, parishes and others. To make a secure financial gift online, go to www.ccdoc.org/donate. Call ahead to the Winston-Salem office at 336-727-0705 or the Lenoir office at 828-434-5710 to schedule a drop-off of donations of baby items. Donations including diapers and baby wipes are welcome, but baby seats and furniture (such as cribs and mattresses) cannot be accepted. Clothing donations must be for small children (up to 2T) and must be new or clean and gently used.
Can your parish, neighborhood or school host a “Diaper Drive”? Catholic Charities will provide flyers for bulletins and will arrange the pick-up of large parish/school bulk collections of diapers and baby wipes.
Need help?
Families in Lenoir or the Piedmont Triad seeking assistance can call Catholic Charities to get help from a case management coordinator, in English or in Spanish. For those who do not live in Lenoir or Winston-Salem, Catholic Charities staff can also try to connect families in need with access to local diaper banks and other services, as well.
- Lenoir Office, 328-B Woodsway Lane N.W.: 828-434-5710
- Winston-Salem Office, 1612 E. 14th St. N.E.: 336-727-0705
Appointments for item pick-up are scheduled in Lenoir and Winston-Salem. If a voicemail message is reached, please leave name, phone number and home city. Items offered are: diapers, baby wipes, infant and toddler toiletries, and new and gently used clothing and baby blankets – for infants and toddlers up to 2 years old.