The panic buying frenzy due to COVID-19 began in early March, emptying out supermarket shelves of bottled water, toilet paper, and diapers. In fact, baby products sold out quickly at large retailers across the country. This left families in a tough spot.

Children’s Aid Early Childhood partnered with NYC Mammas Give Back (NYCMGB), a woman-led nonprofit organization that provides infant essentials to agencies and shelters that serve mothers, families, and children ages 0-5. They have provided Children’s Aid with diaper packs in various sizes, powered formula, new feeding pillows, gently used swaddle blankets, and bibs. Their donations also included infant toys and baby care bags for parents to carry their baby essentials when traveling.

The families in our program with the most need benefited greatly from these generous donations.

The Cruz family whose children regularly attend our Frederick Douglass Early Childhood Center in Harlem had just given birth to a baby boy on March 15. Family Advocate Marissa Briceno reached out to see if they needed baby supplies. The father, braving the epidemic dangers and wearing a facemask, came to the office to take home some much-needed baby gear.

P.S. 152 Head Start Family Advocate Eileen Gonzalez and her husband lent a hand by bringing baby supplies by car to a family in the program.

“The Diaz family was so overjoyed [that the mom] wanted the husband and me to come in, but we let her know that it was not possible [due to the need for social distancing],” says Eileen. “We exchanged air hugs and the mom teared up as we headed down the stairs.”