Help Older Adults Enjoy Quality Life, Community

As the year comes to a close, its a great time to reflect on all the good that has gone on during 2021. We've heard from so many parents, families and organizations positively impacted through our programs - all fueled by your ongoing support.

Year to date through November 2021, we distributed 117,828 adult incontinence products to 4,450 adults in need.

Here's a few quotes from the people positively served throughout the year.

“Diapers are expensive and often hard to find in Uganda, especially for older children. Jake’s help has allowed us to spend money on other important things. Our kids are much happier and healthier when they have clean, functioning diapers to rely on. Opening a box of diapers from Jake’s feels like opening presents on Christmas. It’s a relief to know that something so important is taken care of. We are extremely grateful for Jake’s help!”
— Alyssa McIntyre of Ekisa Ministries 

“Partnering with Jake’s Network of Hope has been a blessing to us and the families we serve. We are now able to offer diapers and period products to all of our families. These are families who are struggling to get by and these items can be expensive and are needed on a day to day or month to month basis, so receiving them each month helps alleviate some financial burden. We are truly grateful for the support of donors and organizations like Jake’s!”
— Angela Klumb, The Giving Tree Food Pantry supervisor

“Jakes is a wonderful opportunity to expand the impact we make because its one-stop shopping at 20% of retail or even less. We’ve actually encouraged our people to give money instead of shopping. There’s just so many opportunities.”
— Deb Stephany, Our Savior Oshkosh/Feeding Hungry Kids

This summer I was given a toy for each of my 4 kids from Jake’s Unplug and Play donation. My kids were so excited to receive a board game, Legos and basketball. Our oldest wanted a basketball for his birthday so that worked out great. Our money has been tight, it was so nice to see my kids smile. I am thankful that people donate and care about us.
— Kim, product recipient 

"My family has lived on a small budget the past couple of years and the pandemic definitely hurt us. My husband’s job was essential but I had to quit my job to stay home with our 3 children due to schools not being in person 5 days a week and daycare not available. We have been using a food pantry for staple foods but were also offered diapers and personal hygiene products. I was so thankful to get diapers, this helps us put that money towards our rent. We are trying very hard to pay our bills and know that we are blessed by people around us. Thank you Jake’s!"                 
 — Tracy,  product recipient

Life has changed in countless ways over the last two years. While incontinence issues in people younger than 50 aren’t new, Adam Greenberg, CEO of NorthShore Care Supply, says one thing that is new is the number of people in that age group reaching out to the company for help.

“The last straw was having to buy a new mattress every once and a while, and couches,” said Donna, a caregiver to her 29-year-old son Danny, who is incontinent. “It was uncomfortable going to other people’s homes or even to public restaurants. That was when we got frustrated – because we needed something higher quality, better sizes.”

Adam long ago identified a need for a better incontinence product, when his dad was in his final stages of brain cancer and losing control of his bladder. That’s why NorthShore exists, with an ever present mission to create a product that feels good and works great.

“Even if you’re 50 or 60 (with incontinence), you feel like you’re 80 or 90 because you’re dealing with this problem. This stigma makes them feel like it’s somehow their fault that they’re dealing with this at whatever age, and it makes them feel ashamed.” - Adam Greenberg,CEO of NorthShore Care Supply

Many people using incontinence products are considered “high-risk” and not willing to return to pre-pandemic lifestyle. Plus, disruptions in the supply chain have created some challenges to purchasing products this year, Adam said, including increasing prices for supplies to make the products. This sometimes means people who would normally wait for sales now need to buy just whenever they see it on the shelves – at a higher cost.

NorthShore expanded its warehouse in 2020 for additional storage for supply and product in order to handle surges in the marketplace like this. We are grateful to the company for its in-kind support of Jake’s Adult Care Essentials (ACE) program. This year, NorthShore donated nearly 5,000 products at no cost for the program.

“When I think of NorthShore … I think of my family comes first, they have great products and I will never be disappointed. They are my Guardian Angel,” says Donna, a caregiver to her son Danny, in this video featuring NorthShore Care Supply.

We are thankful to be able to provide quality like this to people in need. From January through October this year, we’ve supplied 91,608 incontinence products to 3,986 people through ACE.

Links:

• #GivingTuesday campaign