Texarkana native aims to fill pressing need for diapers

Armed with swaddling clothes and conviction, Texarkana native Lisa Sewell is on a mission to help the community's youngest and most vulnerable citizens during National Diaper Need Awareness Week.
The need for diapers is receiving national attention this week as the situation has quietly reached crisis levels.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network one in three American families struggle with diaper need. Defined as not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure infants or toddlers are clean, healthy and dry, the issue is one that Sewell can no longer ignore.
While there are several federally funded programs in place for those needing financial assistance, diapers cannot be purchased through popular programs such as WIC and Food Stamps. Sewell said it is no coincidence that those suffering from diaper need are more than likely in need of more, equally crucial provisions.
"I feel that this is something that God has led me to do ever since I read a 2010 New York Times article," Sewell said. The article was written by Chicagoist editor-in-chief and former Times reporter Rachel Cromidas an addressed the issue of diaper shortage in her city of Chicago. The story moved Sewell so that she decided to become active in her own community in the battle against diaper shortage.
In 2013 she and Pastor Isaac Pitre of Christ Nations Church put on the "Mother of All Diaper Drives," and were able to collect more than 3,000 diapers. The following year Sewell and Christ Nations Church partnered with Beech Street First Baptist and continued their efforts, collecting and distributing 2,150 diapers.
Today, Sewell's focus remains the same, however her vision has grown significantly. Her next goal is the establishment of the ArkLaTex Blessing Center, Texarkana's first diaper bank distribution center.
"Things are really getting going right now," Sewell said, adding that she is in the process of completing the 501C3 documents needed to obtain nonprofit status. Once incorporated, Sewell estimates that the ALTBC will serve 14 counties that could potentially reach 94,000 families with children five years old and younger living below the poverty line according to figures she gathered from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Currently the Marketing Director at Jamison's Center of Kindness Inc., Sewell plans on completing the center's incorporation sometime next year in order to make diaper awareness her full-time position.
"I want this to be my full-time job so I can devote myself to being a blessing to people by providing diapers to those that need them," Sewell said.
Those who have worked with her say her drive and commitment is an inspiration they wished more people would take note of. Salvation Army spokeswoman Sann Terry has worked closely with Sewell in the past and said she has been "an absolute godsend."
"We love her. I know she has a lot of things on her plate right now, and I am pleased that she has the foresight to understand this issue," Terry said. "It's something I really commend her on. We're really grateful that she has been able to help."
Best-selling author and retired psychiatrist Dr. Anne Redelfs said she also admires Sewell for her huge heart and worthy endeavors.
"She's a go-getter. She has insight and awareness an is wanting to do something about what she sees going on."
Redelfs along with two other locals, Sandra Cherry and Cindy Elkins, will serve as Sewell's board of directors for the ArkLaTex Blessing Center once it is operational. Sewell said she is currently working on a Website and the acquisition of a cargo van to further secure her company infrastructure.
With a background in child psychiatry, Redelfs has seen first hand the difficulties families have in struggling to finance medical needs and groceries, among other necessities, when living below the poverty line.
"In my line of work, one thing we look for, is 'are people's needs being met?'" Redelfs said. "With what Lisa's doing, she's teaching lots and lots of people how to help meet human needs, to be aware of what everyone's needs as they go about their lives. It's a powerful statement that she's making."
In an official joint proclamation between the Twin Cities, Texas-side Mayor Bob Bruggeman declared the week of Sep. 28 through Oct. 4 Diaper Need Awareness Week to encourage citizens to donate "generously" to diaper banks, drives, and organizations that distribute diapers to families in need.
Chair of Texas High School's International Club and Sewell's former French teacher Maryanne Fricks has answered the mayor's call and challenged her students to a diaper drive as one of club's many charity events.
"I think that it's going to be a wonderful service, because many of us try to prepare for every event that happens in our lives," Fricks said. "The older you get, the more you realize you can't prepare for everything, and you realize that there are things happen to people that make them unable to provide as well for their families as they need to."
Fricks said she loves to support all her students, past and present, and thought the idea of a diaper drive put a unique perspective on things that can be given.
"Not that it's the responsibility of anyone to provide for his or her children except for the parent, but I think that we as citizens of the world should be kind and loving and generous if we are able to, and give when, and what we can."
Sewell is heading to Seattle, Wa., next month for the National Diaper Bank Conference where she will receive more detailed information on everything she will need properly set up her diaper bank. Those wishing to make a donation of their own can do so at any of the social service agencies in town or contact Sewell directly at [email protected].

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