www.sacramentofoodbank.org Mother-Baby Program Cloth Diaper Project Donor Packet Contents 1. Introduction letter 2. Cloth and disposable diaper facts 3. Cloth Diaper Starter Kit contents a. Cloth Diaper Starter Kit contents, basic version – These basic kits will be provided to seasoned mothers transitioning from disposable diapers to cloth diapers. To assemble a basic kit yourself, please use this list as a guideline. You are welcome to add any special new or gently-used items not listed, such as baby books or toys. b. Cloth Diaper Starter Kit contents, deluxe version – These comprehensive kits will be provided to first time mothers. To assemble a deluxe kit yourself, please use this list as a guideline. You are welcome to add any special new or gently-used items not listed, such as baby blankets or bottles. 4. Cloth Diaper Project wish list – A list of all items we need to help us sustain the Cloth Diaper Project. Donations of any of these items in any quantity are appreciated. 5. Mother-Baby wish list – A general list of items needed on an ongoing basis for the Mother-Baby program. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3333 Third Avenue * Sacramento, CA 95817 * Tel (916) 456-1980 Donation Receiving Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesdays until 7:00 pm © Dear Treasured Donor, Founded in 1976, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening families in our community. This is accomplished through eight different programs focused on basic human services and education. SFBFS programs are sustained entirely by individuals and businesses in our community. We recognize and appreciate your generosity and interest in assisting with our Cloth Diaper Project. The Mother-Baby program, which serves parents and guardians of toddlers up to 24 months old, makes a profound impact by directly reducing the risk of child abuse and neglect. This is achieved by reinforcing parenting skills through educational classes and providing emergency childcare supplies such as diapers, formula, baby food and clothing. Last year, SFBFS helped over 11,000 underserved parents and children with free education, support and childcare essentials including thousands of disposable diapers. The Cloth Diaper Project is a multi-year effort to replace the disposable diapers in our program with cloth diapers. SFBFS provides families with resources to achieve and maintain healthy lifestyles, while doing our part to decrease environmental impact. This switch to cloth diapers will produce significant health and economic benefits to our families while reducing the ecological destruction and waste associated with disposables. Disposable diapers have been declining in popularity in recent years and it is families in need who stand to profit the most from upgrading to cloth. To ease this transition, we are offering classes designed to educate parents on the benefits of cloth diapers and teach them how to easily create, use and maintain a cloth diaper system. With the efforts of considerate volunteers and donors like you, we hope to provide each of the families we serve with cloth diapers and care accessories. All donations are tax deductible and are graciously accepted throughout the week. If you would like to help us by making crafting new diapers, please request our Cloth Diaper Project Volunteer Packet for free sewing patterns and other resources. We hope you enjoy the materials we have provided. For further assistance regarding this project or the materials contained in this packet, please contact Lorena Carranza, Mother-Baby Program Manager, at (916) 456-1980 or [email protected], or Mireya Estrella, Mother-Baby Program Manager, at (916) 648-8735, or [email protected]. H H H H On behalf of Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, I thank you for your support of local families. Together, we can make a difference! Sincerely, Tarah Frost Spirit of Giving Coordinator www.sacramentofoodbank.org Cloth and Disposable Diaper Facts Economic Impact • An independent study determined that the annual cost of disposable diapers for one baby is approximately $2,015 whereas cost for cloth diapers (including cleaning products, water and electricity) is just over $693. Environmental • An estimated 18 billion single-use diapers are thrown in landfills each year, taking as many as 500 years to decompose, and commonly contain raw, untreated sewage. Disposable diapers make up the third largest source of solid waste in landfills. • It takes upwards of 82,000 tons of plastic and 1.3 million tons of wood pulp, or a quarter-million trees, to manufacture the disposable diapers that cover the bottoms of 90 percent of the babies born in the US. • The average cloth diaper is used between 100 and 150 times as a diaper, and then retired. • A study prepared by The Landbank Consultancy for The Women's Environmental Network shows that single-use diapers use 3.5 times as much energy, 8 times as much non-renewable raw materials, and 90 times as much renewable material as cloth diapers. Wellbeing • Studies published by the Archives of Environmental Health and the EPA found that many chemicals and perfumes used in disposable diapers have been shown to cause serious health concerns including cancer, birth defects, liver damage, skin diseases and respiratory problems. • The average babies wearing cloth diapers are toilet trained at 24-30 months, while the average age for babies wearing single-use diapers is 36-42 months. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3333 Third Avenue * Sacramento, CA 95817 * Tel (916) 456-1980 Donation Receiving Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesdays until 7:00 pm www.sacramentofoodbank.org www.sacramentofoodbank.org Mother-Baby Program Cloth Diaper Starter Kit Contents Basic Version Mother-Baby Program Cloth Diaper Starter Kit Contents Deluxe Version Each basic kit should contain: 12 Cloth diapers 1 Diaper cover 24 Baby pins 1 sample box Laundry detergent/1 bar Laundry Soap (ie. Zote, Kirk’s) 1 box Baking soda 1 small Squirt Bottle Each comprehensive kit should contain: 1 Reusable tote/diaper bag/backpack filled with… 36 Cloth diapers 7 Diaper covers 24 Baby pins/4 Snappi diaper fasteners 3 Baby wash cloths 5 quart-sized Ziplock bags 1 sample box Laundry detergent/1 bar Laundry Soap (ie. Zote, Kirk’s) 1 container Diaper rash cream 1 box Baking soda 1 bottle White Vinegar 1 Hand-held food grinder 1 Changing pad 1 Reusable water bottle 1 Waterproof laundry bag 1 Diaper pail w/ lid Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3333 Third Avenue * Sacramento, CA 95817 * Tel (916) 456-1980 Donation Receiving Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesdays until 7:00 pm Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3333 Third Avenue * Sacramento, CA 95817 * Tel (916) 456-1980 Donation Receiving Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesdays until 7:00 pm Free patterns available by request! Free patterns available by request! www.sacramentofoodbank.org Mother-Baby Program Cloth Diaper Project Wish List To help us assemble Cloth Diaper Starter Kits for new mothers, we appreciate donations of any of the following items: • New/homemade/gently-used cloth • • • • • • • • • • • • • diapers (infant/toddler) Plastic pants/diaper covers Baby pins/Snappi diaper fasteners New/gently used diaper bags, backpacks, or large shoulder or messenger bags Ziplock bags (quart size or larger) Hypoallergenic bar soap (i.e. Zote, Kirk’s, etc.) or laundry detergent Diaper rash creams Wash cloths Baking soda Vinegar Hand-held food grinders Changing pads Reusable water bottles Laundry bags • Diaper pails or small trash cans • • • • • with lids Yards of Birdseye, flannel, cotton fleece, or hemp Sewing thread Zippers, buttons, snaps, or Velcro 3” metal/nylon rings Cotton batting/old pillows Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3333 Third Avenue * Sacramento, CA 95817 * Tel (916) 456-1980 Donation Receiving Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and Wednesdays until 7:00 pm Free patterns available by request! © Mother-Baby Program Wish List Winter 2010 Disposable Diapers: sizes 1, 4, 5 and 6 Cloth diapers and diaper covers Formula: Enfamil Lipil with Iron 012 months Baby Jar Food: Stage 1, 2, 3 and Graduates Teething Cookies Fruit juices Cheerios (original) Hand-held food grinders Hygiene items for mom & baby Clothing (0-24 months and 2T-4T) Educational toys(newborn to 3T) New infant and toddler car seats Baby equipment • Strollers • Cribs • High chairs • Potty trainers Baby accessories • Blankets • Carriers • Bottles • Diaper bags • Nursing pads • Wash cloths Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services 3333 Third Avenue * Sacramento, CA 95817 Tel (916) 456-1980 * Web site: www.sacramentofoodbank.org Donations: Monday-Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm, Wednesdays until 7 pm.