2nd Annual Baby Shower to Aid Harvest House’s Baby and Children’s Ministry
Located on Buffalo’s East Side, Harvest House (harvesthousebuffalo.org) assists over 17,000 residents. The East Side is one of Buffalo’s poorest communities with 50% of the households living at or below the federal poverty level.
Harvest House offers various services: assistance to families with children, healthcare, job training, and rental assistance. The Baby and Children’s Ministry is its largest program. Through this ministry, families can receive all baby supplies: diapers, baby hygiene products, clothing, car seats, cribs, and other baby furniture.
In 2023, the Baby and Children’s Ministry assisted 600 children per month. Due to population increases, Harvest House is now servicing almost 700 children per month. This increase in demand is making it hard to keep sufficient supplies in inventory. Already this year Harvest House has had to severely limit what families could receive.
Our Annual Baby Shower
In order meet this rising demand, Harvest House has begun to hold annual “Baby Showers”, inviting local churches, community groups, businesses and individuals to donate various baby supplies during September. Last year a variety of local churches, a major retailer and several community groups joined together and made the inaugural effort a success. But it was obvious that more is needed.
The number of 2024 participants for this September’s effort have increased fourfold. Currently, there are over 25 churches, civic groups, and businesses pledging to support the 2024 effort. We have representatives from every faith denomination, multiple retailers and businesses pledging their support.
The number of participants may get even larger, there are over 10 groups who have expressed interest. Several of these groups are very large and could provide major donations.
What is Needed in 2024
This year we are telling interested donors to provide anything that babies and children would need. We need:
Diapers of all sizes (newborn to size 5)
Baby bottles and feeding supplies
Socks (children aged 33 and above)
Children's clothing (gently used or new newborn to 14 years old)
Baby hygiene products (wipes, diaper ointment, skin cream)
Gently used or new cribs, strollers
Winter coats (new or gently used)
New Underwear (3 to 14 years old)
Car seats (under five years old)
New or gently used folding baby cribs
Baby formula
Why a Baby Shower Ministry is Needed
Before undertaking this effort, we reviewed research published by UB Graduate School of Social Work, Connecticut's Diaper Bank, and various journals to get a better understanding of the impact of diaper supply inadequacy.
Family Income Impact
The availability of diapers has a direct impact on income. The Academy of Pediatrics recommends that diapers should be changed every three hours to avoid any irritations. This rate would require a family to spend $1,500 annually on diapers. For a family of two living at the federal poverty level, purchasing diapers would exhaust 9% of their gross income. A family of three, with two children in diapers, would have to spend over 14% of their gross income.
UB researchers estimated that incomes increase eleven dollars for every dollar families receive in the form of diapers. Researchers also reported that for every $10,000 spent on diaper aid, 1.2 to 1.3 jobs were created. This performance exceeds funds given to corporations for job creation.
Frequency of Diaper Supply Exhaustion
Ninety-three percent of families on Buffalo’s east side reported that they exhausted their disposable diaper supply at least once per quarter. Over 69% had to either borrow money for diapers or diapers from others. Almost 8 in 10 families said they had to skip other necessities to buy diapers. SNAP benefits do not cover diaper purchases.
Lack of Diapers Creates Employment and School Attendance Problems
The lack of diapers creates work or school attendance impediments. Daycare facilities will not accept children who do not have a supply of diapers (at least eight diapers).
Families who cannot obtain disposable diapers are forced to try cloth options. However, daycare facilities refuse to accept these alternatives. Over 75% of families report that they periodically suffer from diaper scarcity and miss work or school.
Lack of Diapers and the Impact on Child and Maternal Health
The lack of diapers has a significant impact on a mother’s health. Research published in the journal Pediatrics noted that women who cannot acquire a sufficient number of diapers are more likely to report emotional distress (61%); suffer from anxiety (62%); and receive treatment for stress, sadness, or anxiety (54%).
Children in families who cannot access diapers are 2.5 times more likely to visit a health provider. These infants are more likely to suffer from rashes and urinary tract infections.
Harvest House works hard to help families in the Buffalo community, but they need our help. Periodically Harvest House’s diaper supplies are insufficient, forcing them to limit the number clients can take. September is one of their highest demand periods. If we can provide diapers and other supplies, Harvest House can help more families.