UMB opens doors for donations

UMB bank is reaching out to the community in support of a local agency that helps mothers in need.

Located at the corner of Fourth Street and National Avenue, UMB has opened its lobby as a drop-off location for items to be donated to the Mother to Mother Ministry of Bourbon County. According to Dona Bauer, personal banker at UMB Bank, the institution will be accepting contributions on behalf of Mother to Mother Ministry through the end of May.

Mother to Mother is a not-for-profit organization helping young mothers facing various needs within their family. Program Director Wilma Leach said community donations are vital to the organization's ability to help young area mothers in need. She said the ministry operates on grants and donations and the economic decline had a major impact on both physical and monetary contributions.

"We operate mainly on grants and donations. Because of the economy, we're not getting as many monetary donations to go out and buy these things," Leach said.

In addition to a drop in offerings, Leach said the Bourbon County ministry has not received any financial assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as it has in the past. Due to the lack of funding, community aid is even more important.

"We're really short without that funding," she said. "We have had some organizations that have donated diapers and helped us out. That's why this drive is so important."

Bauer said the agency will accept diapers (preferably Huggies, size 3-6,) baby wipes, Similac formula, cleaning supplies, dish and laundry detergent and monetary donations.

In 2009, Mother to Mother Ministry of Bourbon County gave out 17,849 diapers and 372 packages of wipes.

In 2010, it distributed 2,149 diapers and 653 packages of wipes.

Leach said in 2010, 4,370 children were helped through the ministry, and of those, nearly 3,000 were 5 years old or younger.

Bauer said UMB Bank hopes the community will be able to help Mother to Mother at a time when friends and neighbors are going through difficult times.

Donations may also be dropped off at the Mother to Mother Ministry office, located at 1602 E. First St.