E
astside Baby Corner (EBC), a nonprofit with 26 years of experience helping families and kids, has opened a branch in the West Sound where the local community can come together to assist families experiencing poverty or crisis. The Grand Opening is June 4, 2016.Do you know about the need in our community?
Do you know in Kitsap and north Pierce Counties, according to the American Community Survey - US Census, nearly 10% of residents receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits? Are you aware 12% of local families with children are living below the poverty line? How about the fact that 28% of children under age 5 live below the poverty level?
Staggering statistics, right? These are the sobering numbers that community service organizations in the region are working hard to combat every day. Now, thanks to nonprofit, Eastside Baby Corner (EBC), which has opened a branch in the area, those organizations will have a new partner to help them in their effort.
EBC, whose main branch serves organizations helping families in east King and south Snohomish counties, has been in operation for 26 years. It is currently reaching nearly 700 kids every week - through those organizations. As the experts on collecting, purchasing and distributing health, safety and care goods for children through a regional network of human service providers, EBC hopes to make a difference in the lives of families in the West Sound. The new branch, known as EBC – West Sound, is on target to have a substantial coverage area, serving organizations located between the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and the Hood Canal Bridge. The impact to local families will be tremendous.
How does EBC – WS work?
EBC is a unique organization that does two important things: 1) it works with existing social service organizations, supporting them so they can better serve the families in their programs, and 2) it allows the community to come together and help others in their own backyard.
Helping the Helpers: Essentially, EBC is a distribution center, housing essential children’s items. The ‘customers’ are family service organizations - they might be working with a family who is experiencing homelessness, or with victims of domestic violence. The family may need help finding work, a place to live, and so much more. What EBC can offer the organization is children’s items, free of charge, so they can focus their resources on these larger issues, instead of worrying about things like diapers, a car seat for the child, clothes that fit, etc.
Community Helping Community: EBC can offer the items free of charge because most come in as community donations. When other families no longer need their baby and children’s items, they can bring them to EBC and EBC will get them to another child in the community. Other items that cannot be reused (diapers for example), or are in short supply (like cribs) are either purchased with funds donated to EBC or are brought in as donations – perhaps from community collection events.
The community also plays an important role in EBC’s success by serving as volunteers. Volunteers sort donations, fill orders, keep an eye on inventory, shop for needed items, and much more. EBC – WS is currently ALL VOLUNTEER RUN!
How can you help?
There are four important ways you can help local families through EBC. The easiest is to donate baby or children’s items you longer need. EBC takes nearly all gently used children’s items - barring a few items like drop-side cribs and expired car seats (for safety reasons) and large toys (due to limited space, both at EBC and in the often transitional living situation of many families in need). EBC – WS is currently serving kids up to age five, so if your items are age-appropriate, please bring them down. You can find location information and drop off times at www.babycorner.org/ebc-west-sound.
Nancy Acosta from Kitsap Public Health District, Nurse Family Partnership picks up an order from EBC - WS.
If you would like to take the donation of items a step farther, consider hosting a collection drive. You can collect items like diapers, food, formula, shampoo, pajamas, and much more. People have hosted drives in their homes, at their office, in front of grocery stores, anywhere. Contact Cori at corib@babycorner.org to create a collection drive that works for you.
Volunteering is another great way to get involved. As you read above, volunteers complete many fun and important tasks at EBC – WS. The work is tangible and impactful. You will leave knowing you’ve made a difference. Volunteer times are available at www.babycorner.org/ebc-west-sound.
Volunteers help get EBC – WS up and running so they can start helping
local social service agencies better serve the families in their programs.
Finally, you can help by donating money to EBC – WS. Because not all of the items a child needs are reusable (like diapers, food and formula), and because donations don’t always meet demand, EBC has to purchase some items. This isn’t possible without your financial contributions. Learn more at www.babycorner.org/how-to-give.
Where can you learn more about EBC and the new EBC –WS?
Visit www.babycorner.org to learn about EBC, and www.babycorner.org/ebc-west-sound to learn more about the West Sound branch.
You’re Invited!
EBC – WS opened its doors in April, and is hosting a grand opening Celebration on June 4th. YOU are invited! Here’s the information:
Come tour the facility and learn about how EBC - WS helps children in need while enjoying treats and beverages.
Date: Saturday, June 4th
Time: 1:30 - 3:30pm
Place: EBC - WS Hub, 1463 NE Dawn Road, Suite B, Bremerton WA
RSVP to westsoundinfo@babycorner.org
