News

It’s the holiday season, and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) would like to give away, to perhaps one of the most precious groups in the community, what they need the most: diapers. 

“Diapers are an essential need for babies and not only are they expensive, but also they are not something covered by SNAP/WIC funding,” said LRC and Campus Engagement Director Sarah Kirkpatrick. 

There are no eligibility requirements to receive the diapers, and people can come to any of the Metro East distribution sites, including the LRC, located on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus (WHYHEC), 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. in East St. Louis. 

Since October, the LRC has been distributing free diapers, ages birth to three months, at the first of every month, on a first come, first served basis. LRC receives 200 diapers at the beginning of each month. 

“The Metro East Diaper Bank receives donations of diapers or money to buy diapers,” explained Kirkpatrick, “and then repackages those diapers into bundles of 25. The bundles are then delivered to different distribution centers around the Metro East.” 

“Danayka Saavedra Berrocal, LRC program assistant, found the Metro East Diaper Bank and brought me the information,” added Kirkpatrick. “We met with Normal McCandless, the founder and executive director for the Metro East Diaper Bank, to learn more about the program. We also toured the Fairmont City Library, a diaper distribution center, to learn more about the process.” 

  LRC will continue the diaper drive for the foreseeable future, according to the director. 

“We hope we’re able to support families in a variety of ways,” she expounded, “so that if a student needs a book for a school project, a veteran needs internet access, or a parent needs a few extra diapers, they will think of the LRC as that go-to place.” 

“I’m excited that the LRC can support this initiative and provide additional resources to families,” said Kirkpatrick. “I hope that initiatives like this will help bring more people into the LRC, so we can serve as much of the community as possible.” 

The SIUE East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) is a full-service public library focusing on youth and adult community outreach. The library contributes to the success of higher education opportunities and career development provided by the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus. The LRC also serves as the on-campus school library space for the Discovery Head Start students and the SIUE Charter High School scholars. The LRC team supports its diverse range of students and patrons and encourages them to succeed and learn new skills provided by the LRC community collection and programs, while maintaining the overall mission, vision, and values of SIUE. Funding for the LRC is provided by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). 

Photo:
Sarah Kirkpatrick, director of the SIUE East St. Louis Learning Resource Center (LRC) and Campus Engagement, displays some of the free diapers that the LRC is offering the community.