St. Patrick's seeks to revive PREPARES program

COLFAX - St. Patrick's Catholic Church PREPARES group partnered with Colfax Food Pantry on Tuesday, Sept. 26, with a table set up to distribute diapers for those in need.

PREPARES is an initiative by the Catholic Bishops of Washington state, launched in 2014, to support parishes in reaching families who may need assistance.

Prepares Volunteer Valerie Higginson tabled at the Pantry and handed out diapers to caregivers and parents with children five and under.

Father Raymond Kalema of St. Patrick's Church in Colfax had mentioned the program, Higginson said, noting that he wondered where it went.

"All across Eastern Washington, many catholic churches have this program thriving, and he wanted to see it more," she said, adding that she volunteered to take it back up.

St. Patrick's had done the program in the past, working closely with the Pantry before the COVID-19 pandemic, distributing diapers to those in need. "We're trying to revive the program and make everyday items like diapers accessible to people who are maybe struggling a little bit," Higginson said.

Higginson said that when the program was running pre-COVID-19, they could help quite a few families, around 60 at one point. "Volunteers pre-COVID-19 were very dedicated for a long time," Higginson said, noting that she's now picking it up, hoping to revive it and help as many people as they can.

Higginson said if anyone in need cannot make it to the food pantry distribution or is interested in volunteering, they can contact her at (509)-288-0020 or St. Patrick's Parish Office Manager Carey Murphy at (509) -397-3921.

Those interested in more information about the program can visit preparesforlife.org.