Baby Gift Bag Program Gives a Hand up to Mothers in Need

“Not everyone has the same support with the birth of a child,” says Lynne Mumford, community and family services worker for The Salvation Army in Peterborough, Ont. “Our baby gift bag, or newborn program, helps low-income mothers know that we value their child and they are not alone in this journey.”

The newborn program is one of many services offered at The Salvation Army in Peterborough that include a food bank,  breakfast program,  financial management and emergency assistance.

“When an expectant mother comes to The Salvation Army for help―usually through the food bank―they are pleasantly surprised and overwhelmed by the baby gift bag and its contents,” says Mumford. “This helps to put a smile on their face, gives them a boost and alleviates some of the anxiety that comes with struggling to provide for their newborn.”

Contents of the gift bag include diapers, baby wipes, diaper-rash cream, shampoo, a blanket, book, toy and a couple of outfits.

Lynne recalls one expectant mom who recently came to the food bank for help. “The middle-aged mom expressed her sadness that no one was happy that she was pregnant,” says Lynne. “There was no family support. No baby shower and no way she could afford something new. Sometimes the stories we hear rock you to the core.”

When the mom looked through her gift bag, gratitude flowed down her cheeks. “We want to make the lives of new moms a little easier,” says Lynne. “It’s comforting to know that with a few basic items we can give a lot of hope to people who could really use a hand up.”

In 2015, 31 baby bags were distributed.