(SACRAMENTO, CA) — Every month on a Saturday, families arrive at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 2958 59th St., carrying diaper bags, strollers, and plenty of uncertainty — hoping they’ve come to the right place. They leave with something essential: diapers for their children and reassurance they’re not alone.
(Sarah Doherty, Gloria Hernandez-Goff, and Chuck Prewett, photo by St. Paul's Lutheran Church website.)
The Saturday diaper distribution at St. Paul’s is organized by Gloria and her husband Duane Goff, as part of the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services’ countywide Diaper Bank program. Unlike most distributions that take place during the week, this weekend drive fills a critical gap for working families who can’t take time off to get help.
“That Saturday distribution is huge,” said Senior Manager of Partnerships Lorena Carranza, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. “So many parents work Monday through Friday. This allows them to get help without missing work.”
Families often arrive hesitant, unsure if they’re in the right place, but volunteers quickly welcome them in — many in Spanish — pointing to a banner outside the church that reads: “Diapers — Everyone Welcome.” Carranza describes the team as “small, but all smiles,” adding that the warmth and dignity they offer families is something truly special.
For Dorothee Gilchrist, a grandmother and great-grandmother caring for several young children in the Sacramento area, the diaper drive has been nothing short of life changing. She first learned about it through a sign at Tahoe Elementary advertising free diapers.
(Photo of Dorothee Gilchrist with grandson.)
“I called, and it was true,” Gilchrist recalls. “From that day on, Gloria has been helping me.”
What began as occasional diaper pickups turned into a lifeline during Gilchrist’s toughest times. She faced repeated hospital stays for heart problems and even a period of homelessness. Through it all, Gloria and Duane never wavered.
“She would bring Pampers to my door because I didn’t have car seats,” Gilchrist said. “When I was in the hospital, she came to visit me with get-well cards. She brought food, Pedialyte, and special milk when my babies were sick. She’s always been there for me.”
Gilchrist’s gratitude runs deep:
“Every time I have a heart attack or trouble breathing, she’s there praying for me. They’re very good people.”
(Photo of a grandfather, left, who picks up diapers for a grandson, and Pastor Townsend, right.)
The story of St. Paul’s involvement began in September 2023, when the church explored ways to engage more deeply in community service. Initially, they hoped to distribute food, but limited storage and lack of refrigeration made that impossible. When Gloria discovered the Diaper Distribution program offered by Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, she knew it was a perfect fit. The church submitted its application in September, was approved by October, and launched its diaper distribution program shortly after.
Located in the Tahoe Park community on the corner of Broadway and 59th Street, St. Paul’s is easily accessible for families in need. The program is staffed by dedicated church members: Sarah Doherty, Chuck Prewett, Eric Bjerke, and Gloria and Duane Goff. As council president, Gloria handles reports and places orders, while Reverend James Townsend, the church’s pastor, supports by attending every distribution Saturday and occasionally handing out diapers during the week.
“We do not ask for any documentation — no social security cards or ID of any kind,” Gloria emphasized. “We simply want to serve our community.”
Now in its third year of providing this service in Tahoe Park, St. Paul’s has seen firsthand how the rising costs of diapers, baby food, and formula strain working families. Some families even have two children in diapers, making the expense overwhelming. The church distributes diapers on the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., and parents and grandparents often express deep gratitude for the support, which helps them avoid the impossible choice between buying diapers and paying for food, gas, or rent.
This local effort is part of a much larger network. St. Paul’s is one of 48 partner agencies across Sacramento County working with the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services Diaper Bank, the county’s official diaper distribution program. The diaper bank formally launched in 2021 after receiving state funding, though its roots date back to 1992, when the food bank began quietly distributing baby essentials through community donations.
In 2025, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services distributed more than 2.6 million diapers. In addition to diapers, the program also distributes baby formula and baby food when available through community and retail partnerships. Families served through St. Paul’s and other partner agencies include refugees, newly arrived immigrants, and parents facing financial hardship for the first time.
(Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services distribution warehouse, photo by Sarah Denos, OpGov.ai.)
“When families discover there’s a place they can go for help with something so basic, it makes a powerful difference,” Carranza said. “It’s dignity, stability, and hope.”
Without enough diapers, parents may stretch use longer than recommended, increasing the risk of rashes, infections, and discomfort — adding to the stress of caring for young children. A lack of diapers can also prevent children from attending daycare, keeping parents from going to work.
“It’s easy to think they’re ‘just diapers,’” Carranza said. “But everything is connected.”
As the diaper bank continues to grow, Carranza said the success of the program lies in its partnerships — especially grassroots efforts like the one at St. Paul’s.
“This work happens because of people like Gloria and Duane and the volunteers who show up every Saturday,” she said. “They are meeting families where they are and making sure no one falls through the cracks.”
For Gilchrist, that commitment means everything:
“She’s a blessing; I just want to thank her (Gloria) for everything she does for me and tell her I love her a lot,” Dorothee said.
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church diaper distribution happens every fourth Saturday of the month. For more information about their distribution program, visit their website. For more information about the Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services diaper bank, visit their website.
Submit Sacramento story tips and ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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