Church members pack emergency hygiene kits for Medina little pantries

Members of Medina United Church of Christ, Congregational, packed 800 emergency hygiene kits Jan. 18 for delivery to Little Free Food Pantries throughout Medina.

Funded through the church’s endowment and coordinated by local nonprofit Spark Medina, the effort encouraged members to observe Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a day of service and reflection.

During Sunday morning worship, attendees stopped on their way into and out of church to assemble four types of kits: diaper, dental, menstrual and personal care. Later in the day, youth group members packed additional kits and learned about the mission and impact of Little Free Food Pantries, as well as the teachings of King.

Participants were also able to take completed kits and a pantry map to distribute the supplies to pantries throughout the area.

The diaper kits include five diapers and a pack of wipes. Dental kits include two toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss. Menstrual kits provide a variety of period supplies for light to heavy flow needs. Personal care kits include deodorant, lip balm, lotion and wipes.

“The beauty of these emergency hygiene kits is that they work in concert with a variety of nonprofit and social services that are available during business hours or require transportation to access,” said Ellen Nolan of Spark Medina. “The Little Free Food Pantries are open 24/7 and anonymous, serving as a valuable emergency option. Anyone in the community is welcome to share food, hygiene and household products in them.”

Sunday morning worship at the church, 217 E. Liberty St., is held at 8:15, 9 and 10:30 a.m. Youth group for students in grades 3-12 meets twice a month. For a list of Medina County’s Little Free Food Pantries, visit tinyurl.com/MedinaCountyLFFP.