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Gear Up for Baby

1 in 3 Families Experience Diaper Insecurity

Cradles to Crayons’ Gear Up for Baby initiative presented by Cuties® Diapers aims to serve expecting mothers and caregivers with the basic essentials that every newborn needs—diapers, baby wipes, baby soap, and more.

These essentials, especially diapers, are one of the most crucial parts of dressing a young child from head to toe. But many families lack the resources to afford the high cost of diapers, making diaper-need a daily reality for too many families across the United States.

The Need

There are no state or federal government benefits specific to preventing diaper need, and diapers are tax exempt in only eight states. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the only cash assistance program that allows families to buy diapers. However, only 23 percent of families living in poverty receive TANF funding. These insufficient funds are often stretched across rent, utilities, and more—leaving families to stretch diaper supplies as far as they can. Without diapers, caregivers working low-wage jobs or attending school face unfair barriers to essential infant care. With the support of our community, we can make sure our families feel prepared with the baby essentials their family needs.

 

The Initiative

Through our partnership with Cuties®, we highlight our Gear Up for Baby initiative with a series of events and opportunities to give back during the summer months to focus companies, individuals, and families on the critical need for baby and toddler support.

Items we are collecting for our Gear Up For Baby initiative are: 

  • New or Unopened Diapers & Pull-Ups
  • New or Unopened Baby Wipes
  • New or Gently Used Baby Clothes
  • New or Sealed Baby Hygiene Items (Soap, Shampoo, Diaper Cream)

To donate, find your nearest C2C drop off location HERE

Tag us on social and show us how you’re contributing to Gear Up for Baby!

Email us at communitychicago@cradlestocrayons.org to learn more about the following opportunities:

The Goddard School Gear Up For Baby Collection Drive

The Goddard school is partnering with Cradles to Crayons as our Featured Collector for our Gear Up for Baby initiative this May! All month long they will have C2C collection boxes at 19 locations to collect essential items for mothers and their babies. In an effort to help lessen the burden of this expense for the new and expecting mothers we serve, please donate diapers, clothes, wipes and hygiene products at any of these 19 Goddard School locations. 

Host a C2C Community Baby Shower

Gather donations of new baby items! Invite your friends, family, or co-workers to purchase and provide one or more much-needed baby items. It could be a weekend gathering at your home or a “Parents Night Out” with friends. At a company, employees can host an on-site “C2C Baby Shower” collection drive to encourage their colleagues to purchase and donate items.

Host a Virtual C2C Baby Shower

Want to support Gear Up for Baby, but don’t have time to put together an event? We can set you up with a unique Amazon Wish List and fundraising page. You email the links to friends, family, and co-workers and you’ve got a fast and easy way to collect items and raise money to help children and families in need.

Make a Tribute Gift

Honor new moms in need with a tribute gift that meets a newborn’s basic needs! Or simply support by sharing the Gear Up for Baby program with your networks through email, social media groups, and word-of-mouth! #GearUpforBaby #CutiesCares4TheKids #c2cChicago

Our Impact 

“A young pregnant mother and child with autism arrived in Chicago from Guatemala with no resources. Relocating to the United States is no small feat, and the family faced many challenges and barriers. One of her toughest challenges was finding the support to help her understand and navigate some of our systems and locating community resources. Thanks to Cradles to Crayons the young baby received diapers, clothing, toys in her developmental age, shoes, and hygiene items. The mother said, “I am thankful for the support that I received through the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago Community Health Center and Cradles to Crayons. My little daughter will not feel the cold of the winter anymore. I’m very grateful.”