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Building Dreams: Pantry Helps Woman with Cancer

Mary and her husband live in the rural areas of northeastern Wisconsin. As they grow older, they are working to fix up their cabin to enjoy together.

Except, Mary has hit some health snags. She’s had recurrent bladder cancer for more than a year, which means the work on the cabin is now on a deadline – a bit unknown, the date being until she can’t do the work anymore. They are working tirelessly to get it into shape.

Mary’s condition means she’s had urinary infections and has constant problems with holding urine. She’s tried to get assistance to buy adult briefs through her insurance and the VA to no avail. 

Thankfully, Mary has found hope through Kingdom Come, a pantry in Oconto Falls that serves the unmet needs of low income, handicapped, elderly, and at-risk in the community through a food pantry and resale shop. Kingdom Come is one of Jake’s Diapers community partners and is able to provide Mary with adult ‘diapers’ because of our support.

“Starting a partnership with Jake’s in 2019 has meant reduced stress for these families.”

“Getting the disposable adult briefs from the pantry has helped relieve some of that stress with the cost of buying adult ‘diapers,’” said Belinda Chou of Kingdom Come. “Plus, she has not had an infection since she’s had the disposable briefs.”

Oconto Falls and the surrounding area are often considered a bedroom community of Green Bay, Belinda said, and this means good jobs require reliable transportation and education. Poverty, health and emotional issues are common themes for people in the area. Low job skills and lack of -education prevent many from climbing out of the cycle.

MORE STORIES FROM OUR WISCONSIN EFFORTS

WISCONSIN BANK SUPPORTS RURAL FAMILIES VIA COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

JAKE’S DIAPERS LAUNCHES ADULT CARE ESSENTIALS PROGRAM

A RELIABLE GIFT: COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP FUELS NEEDED SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE

Starting a partnership with Jake’s in 2019 has meant reduced stress for these families as well as some education about products available to deal with incontinence, Belinda said. 

“Consistency or reliability of products, variety of products, and the cost-saving are all great things that have come from Jake’s,” she said. “And about 50% of our food pantry clients are using some type of diaper or menstrual product. –That means a great impact for our clients! Thank you!”

About Our Community Partners

Kingdom Come is just one of our many local community partners Jake’s Diapers features regularly to shed light on the stories of the people we serve in order to increase awareness about the impact a donation of hygiene products can have on a single individual.