Health Department Gifts Diapers to Families With Newborns

GNR Public Health, in partnership with Helping Mamas and Gwinnett County Public Schools Early Learning and School Readiness, is giving away nearly 1,000 boxes containing diapers and other essential baby items to families with newborns enrolling in the Women, Infants, and Children Supplemental Nutrition Program (WIC) . The boxes contain 175 size-one diapers, a case of baby wipes, a bib, and baby-related literature.

“It is one of the Health Department’s missions to care for people in our community health-wise, but this holiday, GNR Public Health wanted to do more for the families we serve,” said Dr. Audrey Arona, CEO and District Medical Director of GNR Public Health.

While the health department offers nutritional assistance to families through programs such as WIC and health-related support by providing reduced- and no-cost medical services, Arona realized an opportunity after meeting with Helping Mamas, a metro-Atlanta non-profit that provides diapers and other essential products to needy women. In September, Arona and health department leaders designated local funding and devised a plan to give diapers to families with newborns enrolling in the health department’s WIC program.

The health department purchased a truckload of diapers at a reduced cost through Helping Mamas. Gwinnett County Public Schools Early Learning and School Readiness were eager to participate, providing bibs and early learning literature focusing on their Building Babies’ Brains initiative. In December, GNR Public Health started distributing boxes to families enrolling newborns in WIC from their Buford, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Conyers, and Covington health centers.

“It is a blessing to help families with new babies this time of year,” said Arona. “Our strong partnerships with organizations like Helping Mamas and Gwinnett County Public Schools make projects like this possible. It is nice to collaborate with organizations who care about the families they serve.”

The health department has diaper gift boxes for qualifying WIC families while supplies last. Pregnant women, postpartum women, breastfeeding mothers, and families with children aged five and younger who want to find out if they qualify for WIC benefits should call 770-513-9738.

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