Valdese church program keeps Burke County babies dry and families grateful

Nestled in a room of First United Methodist Church in Valdese, a group of volunteers is making sure the kids of Burke County have their diaper needs met.

The Dry Bottoms program offers free diapers (newborn to size 7), wipes, rash cream, baby lotion, and shampoo to children in Burke County. The program also provides baby food, formula, clothing, quilts, and knit hats when available.

Family members arrive on the second Tuesday of the month from 4-5:30 p.m. at the church, at the corner of Carolina Street and Saint Germain Avenue. From young parents to grandparents, around 30 families are assisted with this program.

On the day of the program, volunteers bustle around the room to fill orders and talk with recipients.

When they had a moment to breathe, volunteers Bobbie Seagle and Jennifer Boggs shined a light on the program.

For years, the former First Christian Church of Valdese was the program’s home, but in 2021, they had to close their doors. First United Methodist in Valdese took on the effort in January 2022.

Dry Bottoms sparked from a collaboration among Burke County churches to assess the needs of residents and find ways to address those needs. Along with Dry Bottoms, other programs were created to offer hygiene products, school supplies, food, and clothing closets.

Upon opening at First United, the program served four families. Now, more than 60 families with 84 children rely on Dry Bottoms. Those families have shared their gratitude to this program, Boggs said.

“It has been very impactful,” Boggs said. “We have parents with several children between ages of birth to 3 years old. There are also grandparents who are raising their grandchildren. Dry Bottoms helps reduce their financial concerns.”

Much of the program’s current supplies are surplus Hurricane Helene donations not needed in more impacted areas.

Church members bring in supplies, and other private/civic group donations are brought in as well. For example, an elderly woman at the church knits hats while a quilting group at Agape Retirement Home creates quilts.

They have help from the following organizations:

• Waldensian Presbyterian Church
• Valdese Rotary Club
• Rutherford College Lions Club
• Cornerstone Baptist Church in Valdese
• Salem United Methodist Church
• Oak Hill United Methodist
• Burke United Christian Ministries

Dry Bottoms also has received grants from the Community Foundation of Burke County and, most recently, the Rostan Family Foundation.

For more information or to donate, visit the church at 217 St. Germain Ave. SE or you can call at 828-874-0006.