Girl Scouts of Palm Glades Council, Inc.
Patch Project Requirements

Baby Basics

To download a Baby Basics Inventory Form, click on one of these links: Word or PDF

Baby Basics is the most successful, longest running community action project in our Council’s history. Every year, during Girl Scout week in March, Girl Scouts gather and donate formula, baby food, diapers, and infant care items to about 80 different agencies and churches from Sebastian to Boca Raton to help needy babies with some of the ‘basics’ of their care.

Statistics from the National Center for Children in Poverty at Columbia University tell us that the number of infants living in poverty in the United States is alarming. The agencies trying to serve them struggle to keep up with the need. So 17 years ago, when the Girl Scouts received a call from one such agency, saying they were “wrapping babies in newspapers because [they didn’t] have any more diapers”, we stepped in to help!

When you multiply the numbers of donations times 17 years – it’s amazing! Over 38,000 girls, have donated about 250,000 diapers and over 100,000 feedings of formula and baby food! Participation has waned from about 4000 girls participating a year to just over 2000 last year – but the donations are still nearly the same! One troop alone, last year donated 1041 diapers!

National Public Radio, on July 19 th, said a project has begun in Boston this summer to do a baby basics type project; what we’ve been doing for 17 years. The need is great everywhere.

There are three steps to participating in the Baby Basics project:

1. A fact finding mission with the girls – use the internet, or ask the local librarian for help in finding out all about the infant and child poverty issue in the US. Did you know that “the poor are disproportionately children? One child in every 8 is hungry on a regular basis.” Or “the poverty rate for children under six is more than double the rate for adults.” Or “21 percent or 2.3 million children, from birth to 3 years old, live in poverty.” National Center for Children in Poverty, Columbia University . Their website is www.nccp.org and will give the troop lots of information. Additionally, you could find huge amounts of information and statistics by typing ‘children in poverty in USA ’ in the search box at www.google.com. Do be mindful of the source you choose. University and government sources, as well as nationally known organizations such as UNICEF and CARE will have the most reliable information. Research, by the girls, with your help for the younger ones, is a very important part of this project.

2. Identify an agency in your area that helps infants in need. Look in the phone book; ask your churches, or local government offices.

Many low income families, the working poor, as well as many others, simply cannot afford to keep their babies dry, clean, and well nourished, especially in a crisis situation.

The agencies trying to help these families simply run out of resources. Be sure to ask the agency you contact what they need most – Diapers? Formula? Baby food? (Remember this project is for babies! If they need other things, that’s another project. Perhaps you need to contact another place this time)

Remember “Safe Space” too; places for battered women - families often arrive there with nothing. You will likely have to contact and give to them through another source, since they are usually at secret locations. Ask.

Start a dialog with the troop about the agency you choose. For instance “Why does the church even need diapers and formula? Who comes there to get these supplies?” “What is a Safe Space?” “Who goes there?” We hate to even think of it, but there could be a child in the troop who could tell Mom there is such a place to get help. You might also ask a representative of the agency you choose to talk with the girls about their mission.

3. Next, the shopping expedition! With an amount of money previously agreed upon by the girls, the troop is off to the store for lots of fun and a big shock! “What do you mean a jar of baby food is 50 cents and they eat how many a day?” Or perhaps “$20 for a bag of diapers and that’ll last only how long?” More than one Senior Girl Scout has left Publix in absolute awe during the yearly Baby Basics project. Perhaps a good thing?

If a shopping trip won’t work, ask girls to gather prices in the paper and report back. Many times a small bag of diapers or a couple of jars of baby food are all the troop budget will stand. That’s okay! Also, many times there are baby “leftovers” in the household – diaper sizes baby has outgrown for instance – these are greatly appreciated too. Open boxes or bags of diapers aren’t a problem.

Hopefully, Girl Scouts come away from this project with a greater understanding of an enormous problem – the size and scope of very young children living in poverty right here in the United States – right in our communities; the existence of agencies and their struggle to help; the huge expense of a little baby; and their own ability to join forces and help.

The optional participation patch, which is free, thanks to a generous donation from the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club, is available to all in exchange for an inventory of the goods donated and evaluation. The form is attached and found on our council website. NOTE: Please help us by filling out the form carefully. We have probably collected much more than we realize, but many inventories say “one bag of diapers” is that 12? Or 24? Maybe 72? We just don’t know – so we apply only 12 to our count. How many feedings of formula does that can provide? 1? 30? Perhaps you could ask the girls to do the counting. They would likely enjoy taking stock of what they have done! Whether you choose to get the patch or not, please fill out the inventory and send it to us.

The evaluations (part of the same form) are heartening to read!

“Girls love to give!”

“It touched their hearts.”

“It is very important to help others.”

“Babies sure need lots of things!”

“It was interesting to find that babies require so many supplies, and many are very expensive.”

“Can we bring things from home?” (Yes!)

“Girls made a list and chose what they thought a baby needed most.”

“The girls love to shop for others – they really enjoy this program.”

“We were sad learning about how many kids need help and eager to do something. We made a big difference.”

“What will happen to this baby now?”

“Instead of being greedy – it feels good to give some of our troop money to help people.”

Some agencies we have helped in the past are Birthline; YWCA Harmony House; Safe Space; Carenet; Hibiscus House; Healthy Start; First Steps; Father John at St Mary’s - Pahokee; Children’s Home Society; Healthy Families of Martin County; Healthy Mothers - Healthy Babies; Hugs for Kids; Home Safe; St. Luke’s; Haitian Relief; Florence Fuller; First Care; St Claire’s Church; St Ignatius Loyola, Jesus House of Hope; Operation Concern and many others.

Thank you for helping girls to learn more about their communities and for making Baby Basics such a great success!