How do people apply to the South Boston & Needham programs? What are the guidelines?

Families with babies and toddlers under the age of 3 years old interested in becoming a part of the Baby Basics, Inc. program must first be screened by one of our professional referral agencies in South Boston or Needham. These agencies are WIC (Woman Infant Children Program) and the social workers in the Pediatric and Women's Departments at the South Boston Community Health Center. The information for the screening agencies for Needham will be posted shortly.

The criteria these agencies will be using are the following:

• Must be a resident of South Boston or Needham
• At least one parent/guardian must be working.
• The family cannot be receiving any federal or state cash assistance and must meet the financial guidelines for WIC.
• On the child's third birthday he/she will no longer be eligible for the Baby Basics, Inc. program.
• Each family is asked to sign a product liability waiver and also agrees to allow Baby Basics, Inc. to use the child's picture for fundraising purposes. (Baby Basics, Inc. does not use the child's name for such purposes.)
• The parents/guardians agree to inform Baby Basics, Inc. at (617) 305-6899 if they are unable to attend the distributions. Failure to notify Baby Basics, Inc. two distributions in a row will result in the removal of the family from the program.

South Boston WIC Program
386 West Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127
(617)464-5850

South Boston Community Health Center
409 West Broadway
South Boston, MA 02127
(617) 269-7500

Information on Needham screening agencies will be posted shortly.

Do we accept donations of other things – changing tables, etc.?

Unfortunately we have very limited storage space so are unable to accept donations of other items.

Do we take diapers or just cash?

We purchase our diapers in bulk, standard packages so that families get the same amount of diapers each time. Therefore, cash donations to purchase diapers are the most helpful. At this time, we don't have a space where we are able to accept and store diapers. Local food banks and shelters often accept donations of diapers.
 

Baby Basics is a 501c(3) organization and 100% of all donations goes to providing diapers to our participating babies, unless specifically earmarked by the donor to cover administrative costs. Your contribution can absolutely change the life of a baby in need!
 

If you would like to make a donation, below are some levels of financial support to consider:
$40 buys 1 month of diapers
$80 buys 2 months of diapers for 1 child
$240 buys 6 months of diapers for 1 child
$480 buys 1 year of diapers for 1 child
$1,440 buys 3 years of diapers for 1 child

Please send your tax-deductible donation, made payable to Baby Basics, Inc. to:
47 Beaufort Avenue
Needham, MA 02492
(617)305-6899
or click below to make a credit card donation*:
  

*A small transaction fee (3%) will be deducted by Just Give to cover processing online credit card donations

What if I want to do a diaper drive?

We purchase our diapers in bulk, standard packages so that families get the same amount of diapers each time. Therefore, cash donations to purchase diapers are the most helpful. However, there are ways to do spare change drives with the money going to purchase diapers and other creative ways that we’d be pleased to discuss with you. Wipes and cream drives are also welcome. Please contact us at babybasicsinc@hotmail.com.

How can I volunteer? What do you need help with?

Baby Basics, Inc. is an entirely volunteer organization. Our working Board coordinates all fundraising, public relations, diaper distribution, and community involvement programs. The continuing success of Baby Basics points to the variety of talents our volunteers bring, and their commitment and dedication to staying with the mission of providing this important service to families in need. 
 

We particularly need help with grant writing, pr and fundraising, as well as help distributing diapers.

Why not cloth diapers?
Baby Basics provides disposable diapers for our families for many reasons.  They are as follows:

1. Low income families that are working typically use day care services for their children while they work.  Day care centers, Head Start and low income daycare support for families typically require that the babies use disposable diapers.
2. In most areas, commercial laundromats do not allow cloth diapers to be washed in their facilities because of sanitary reasons.
3. Leakage from cloth diapers can also cause families to have larger wash loads than the use of disposable diapers.
4. Most of our families do not have their own personal washers and dryers.