Swaddling Clothes
Our Swaddling Clothes "store" is located in our Activity Center off of Main Street in Keller. It is open on the second Saturday of each month, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
The mission of Swaddling Clothes is to share the
mercy of Christ with our neighbors through the
gifts of clothing, food, friendship, and the forgiving Word of God.
Swaddling Clothes was developed by Pastor Hans and Katie Fiene, who opened the first store in April 2013 as a pro-life ministry of River of Life Lutheran Church in Channahon, IL, benefitting moms-to-be in the Channahon/Minooka communities. Their plan to expand this ministry to other LC-MS congregations is beginning to bear fruit. On April 11, 2015, Messiah joined River of Life, St. John Lutheran of Marengo, IA, and Redeemer Lutheran of Golconda IL by opening the 4th Swaddling Clothes branch in our Activity Center. We are excited to be a part of this valuable ministry as a practical extension of our belief in the sanctity of life and our commitment to be “centered in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and bearing the fruit of the Spirit.”
How does “Swaddling Clothes” work?
We assemble a collection of items associated with pregnancy and motherhood—maternity and baby clothes, diapers, formula, bottles, etc. Then, on the second Saturday of each month, we will host a “shopping day” where moms can look through our collection and take what they need, up to a certain number of items. The moms are encouraged to re-donate items they no longer need to provide for another family in like circumstances. We will work with Pregnancy Help4U, providing them a place to send their young clients in need of baby and maternity items.
How can I help?
Donations are needed to open our Swaddling Clothes “store.” We will gladly accept all new or gently used clothing in excellent condition in sizes preemie/newborn through 5T, and maternity clothes in modern styles. (Please do not donate anything you would not wear or put on your child). We need diapers in all sizes, blankets, crib sheets, new baby bottles, formula, child-sized hangers, and other infant and toddler items. We are also looking for larger items like cribs (no drop-side), crib mattresses, unexpired car seats, strollers, etc. All items must be in good repair and clean. We cannot accept toys, expired car seats, or drop-side cribs.
Donations can be left in the baby bassinet in the narthex. Later, tags will be posted on the wall by the bassinet to indicate items are needed.
Monetary donations are also welcome! You can give to Swaddling Clothes through our new online giving system, or by writing a check to Messiah Lutheran Church, and writing “Swaddling Clothes” in the memo line.
Volunteers are needed for a variety of activities:
Donations of larger items (car seats, cribs) need to be inspected to make sure all parts are present and that they haven't expired. They need to be cleaned and placed in our storage room.
Drivers will be needed to pick-up some larger items from donor homes.
Volunteers are needed each 2nd Saturday from 9:00am—12:00pm to assist the young women coming in to “shop.”
Families in need of other items (food, assistance with older children, etc.) will need a volunteer to help them find other resources for those items (The Storehouse, NEED, etc.)
For more information email: keller@swaddlingclothes.org
Visit their website: Swaddlingclothes.org