Did you know … cloth diapering makes a difference?

Did you know the Sisters of Providence sell cloth diapers in our gift shop at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods? Are you wondering why a religious order is selling cloth diapers?

Well, it’s in an effort to have our store have meaning and make an impact in communities. That affect is far reaching when you know the environmental wallop of disposable diapers.

The Sisters of Providence have always had strong values regarding land ethics. Contrary to these values is the use of disposable diapers, which can take 500 years to break down in landfills and require nearly 250,000 trees each year to produce.

Then there’s paying for them. Disposable diapers can cost up to $3,000 during the time a child is in diapers.

Ryan Sheehy, manager of Linden Leaf Gifts, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, is pleased with the response from shoppers.

“Cloth diapers have been a great addition to Linden Leaf because of the commitment the sisters have to their land ethics,” he said. “They fit perfectly with the values of financial sustainability, as well as taking care of the earth.

Ryan and his wife, Kristen, know about the cost savings first-hand.

“We switched to cloth diapers to save ourselves all that money versus going to the store two and three times a week and spending $3,000 by the time our daughter is potty trained,” Ryan said. “The savings has been great.”

Organic cotton diapers are natural and safer for the environment as they help to reduce the 3.4 million tons of landfill waste that disposable diapers will create in a single year, according to a 1998 EPA study.

Organic cotton diapers are a sustainable solution both financially and ecologically for families and our planet.

If you’re not able to get to the store at the Woods, check out www.LindenLeafGifts.com to explore this new gift shop item.

(Online only bonus content from the Summer 2015 issue of HOPE magazine.)