Father Jim Swarthout

Founder, St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership
McHenry, Illinois

As both a pastor at St. Paul Episcopal Church and social worker, Father Jim has always been a big believer in making a difference for others. He never gave diapers much thought, even after reading an article in Time magazine about The Diaper Bank, until a woman came to his parish with a baby in a heavily soiled diaper. "When she told me that she could only afford two diapers a day," recalls Father John, "I recalled the article and the stars aligned."

Soon afterward, in 2009, the St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership at St. Paul Episcopal Church officially opened. It serves over 1,500 people through 9 social service agencies and distributes 15,000 diapers each month. While most of the diapers are donated by community members who bring them to the parish, 8% are purchased. "It's amazing how small checks add up," says Father Jim. The St. Paul Diaper Bank Partnership also receives strong support from local service clubs, community diaper drives and parish auctions.

Father Jim believes that one of the greatest things the diaper bank accomplishes is bringing all the social service agencies together to work in unison to help people in need. His biggest challenge, though, is getting the word out to the community about the necessity for diapers. "Once awareness is out, there's buy-in," he says. That's why he urges everyone to tell the story and let people know diapers aren't covered by welfare programs.

Father Jim finds strong parallels between his work and the Every Little Bottom Program. He states: "Our vision and mission at St. Paul is to make a difference; to take risks and build trust to promote goodness and zest in life. And that's what Every Little Bottom is doing." He hopes the campaign will create excitement and help people realize everyone in a community is responsible for each other.

Father Jim has witnessed firsthand the tears and shining eyes of moms when they receive diapers. "When I give diapers away to parents, I get more from them then they get from me," he says. "When a mother or father are given diapers they couldn't afford, their thrill at getting through another day is absolutely amazing. I get a big hug and they say they can stay in their apartments another month because of me." But what touches Father Jim's heart most of all is seeing a baby in clean diapers with a smile on his or her face.