Grace Community Church hosts the fourth annual Community Baby Shower on May 19, a benefit to support hundreds of needy families in the region.

The free-of-charge shopping event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 1320 Auburn Way S, Auburn.

Last year more than 680 moms, dads and kids lined up out the door and through the parking lot, patiently waiting for their turn to shop for clothes, diapers, toys, cribs, coats, car seats and strollers.

“We are going to serve more families than ever before,” said Shelly Suth, staff person at Grace Community Church and organizer of the event.

World Vision, an international relief organization, already has donated three pallets of diapers and a pallet of baby bedding – and has promised that more diapers are on the way.

Individuals and groups throughout the community have been donating new and gently used baby clothes, furniture, toys and books, in addition to clothing for children up through size 5T.

A local businessman donated his warehouse for storage and also will load his trucks and deliver the items the day before the event.

“The Community Baby Shower is not just about supplying clothing and furniture,” Suth said. “We also connect these moms, dads and kids to organizations that can help them thrive in today’s challenging economy.”

Booths will be set up, featuring the Auburn Food Bank, Auburn Youth Resources, Auburn Valley Y, South Sound Dream Center, Celebrate Recovery, English as a Second Language, ACAP and others.

For more information, to donate or participate, please contact Suth at 253-833-5660, extension 215 or email at ssuth@gccauburn.net.