Babyfood / Formula Drive

Hi Z.,

Fantastic idea!

Check with local churches, especially those with MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers--http://www.mops.org/). They can probably help in two ways. First, their congregations may be willing to contribute. Second, they usually have a very good sense of where needs are in their communities. They can find moms who may be edge cases--not qualifying for assistance but not able to make it on their own and relying on help from generous people like you and your son.

For receiving donations, maybe you could contact pediatrician and OB/GYN offices. It would be a means of reaching mommies who have piles of leftover or samples of baby formula at home and who probably have hearts to help kids.

Also, you might consider creating an "ad" for Craigslist or a similar site.

Best wishes!

Any of the local foodbanks would be happy to have the babyfood! Northwest Harvest and Eastside Baby Corner would all happily take them as well. I don't think I'd do random door to door collection, but maybe walk around your neighborhood one week and put fliers on the doors. The next week, go back on the designated day and pick up what people have set out or whatnot. The flier could be a simple:

Hi, I'm your neighbor ___________ and I'm collecting food for _________________. I'll be back on _____________ to pick up any donations you have. Thank you!

One local baby food manufacturer is "world baby foods" and they'd be worth contacting. I don't know if they'd donate, but since they're local, they might be more inclined. I also think a $$ donation would be perfectly acceptable as long as you're clear about where the money is going. Most places that accept donations are able to get really good deals that aren't available to the general public because they're non-profits.

$$ donations would be a great idea... for reasons stated already.

If you go on Yahoo, there is a Green Lake Moms group, a Ballard Moms group, and maybe others... You can post to those, and see if women have any cans to donate. You could also post a colorful sign in some of the area consignment stores, PCC, etc.

I know I got sample cans of powdered formula while pregnant. I gave the soy ones to the local food bank, and just bringing them two not-very-large cans of formula was a big deal for them! They were very glad to have it because someone will definitely use it.

When I was in college we did a "baby items" scavenger hunt for a local shelter. We did go door-to-door with a list of all kinds of baby items and also accepted cash/checks. It was so successful, our instructor said he was going to make it part of his curriculum. It was for a Group Dynamics class.

How fun and helpful of your son! Be sure to save a copy of his letter. So sweet.

Hello Z.,
great idea, even at his age, you do not say where you plan to donate the baby food too, add that to your letters,you can check with many churches for help ideas they (most will add it to as a suggestion in their morning news) instead of standing in front of a store ask the manager about a collection barrel inside the store with your printed letter a short version for the barrel of why and what your trying to achieve. You can also call your local news paper about a small ad, as for the money donations i personally see no problem,why not? If they would like to write a check have it made out to your bank,with the memo for baby FOOD/FORMULA for donation on it so when you go to the bank have the letter with you for identifacation, great idea, to your son you should be very proud(i know you are)much success.
S. lopez, vancouver washington,

Z., what an AWESOME idea! You and your son are doing a wonderful service to the community. As someone who works in the human services community with low income families (many of which utilize food banks regularly), baby food and formula are always in high demand, especially in this economy.

My suggestion for the actual donations would be Food Lifeline for the following reason: Food Lifeline distributes food to food banks throughout King County and western Washington, and knows which food banks and food programs have the highest need for baby food and formula. They will make sure that your donation will go to those with the highest need. Plus, it makes sure it's clients meet certain income guidelines for services, unlike First Harvest, so the food is actually going to those who are truly in need. I've included it's website so you can take a look at it's program.

http://www.foodlifeline.org/who/index.html

Also, I think collecting money is a great idea. Foodbanks can often buy food in large quantities for pennies on the dollar...they can get food at prices that aren't available to the average consumer, and they can make a dollar stretch a lot farther than we can so every penny counts, literally!

Maybe your son could do a penny drive at school at church or at a community center. He could also set up a drop box for baby food donations at school or church or a community center as well.

Good luck, and again, what an awesome idea. You are raising a thoughtful and caring son! Way to go mom!

our local baby recycle things shop offers formula at fraction of the price in stores, i asked where it comes from and why soooo cheap [ 6.00 a can] and she said they are donated by people who can no longer use them. maybe baby won't drink or didn't agree with, so maybe run and ad in paper or put up fliers at said places. what a great idea and such a huge need. your raising a kid that wll make a differance in this world. god bless you both. i live in springfield oregon.

I live outside Portland and participate in a children's consignment sale. This Fall they are doing a diaper/formula collection for charity. I would recommend working with one of the local bi-annual consignment sales - as this is the target market - for mom's who might have unused samples of formula or unopened cans of formula or babyfood to donate.