The Connection Warren-Watchung Edition June/July/August 2018

PAGE 88 THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION JUNE/JULY/AUGUST 2018 LOGOS WEBSITES BROCHURES LETTERHEADS FLYERS T SHIRTS POSTCARDS BUSINESS CARDS WEDDING INVITATIONS PARTY INVITATIONS ANNUAL REPORTS SAVE THE DATES dianaheom@gmail.com www.dianaheom.com 908.872.2580 CONTACT ME TODAY FOR ALL YOUR DESIGN NEEDS! GRAPHIC DESIGN DIANA HEOM Having a baby is expensive. For many, the cost is overwhelming. For low- income parents the cost means mak- ing difficult choices about what essentials are purchased each month and what must be sacrificed. Currently distributing diapers and baby supplies to thousands of indi- viduals in North and Central Jersey through an extensive network of part- ners, Moms Helping Moms Founda- tion (MHMF) is helping to ensure that babies don’t go without life’s necessi- ties. “Ensuring that families have the basics, especially diapers, is one of our highest priorities at Moms Help- ing Moms Foundation. One in three families in the US struggle to provide enough diapers for their babies. This causes immense stress and anxiety for the mom and puts the baby at risk of extreme discomfort, and diaper-relat- ed illnesses”, explains Bridget Cutler, founder & executive director. Diapers are pricey, and many families struggle to afford them. A baby needs close to 2800 diapers in its first year alone, which costs approximately $1000. WIC and SNAP, benefits that low-income parents rely on to help cover the cost of essentials, do not cover diapers. “I know it seems like small things, but when combined together, it's a big help especially financially. When my income is so lim- ited as it is – it means that I don’t have to worry where her diapers are com- ing from,” reflects a mom who receives diapers from MHMF for her infant daughter. MHMF is a North Plainfield-based nonprofit primarily serving Somerset, Middlesex, Union, Essex, and Morris Counties. In 2017, the foundation distributed 155,000 items and 150,000 diapers through a network of 40 well-established social services agencies serving the same popula- tion: food banks, teen parenting pro- grams, maternal health initiatives, transitional housing programs, and domestic violence shelters. Rebecca Tucker, director of programs at MHMF remarked, “Our partners can focus on their clients’ pressing needs because they don’t have to worry about finding them basics like dia- pers, wipes, clothes, and toiletries.” There are several ways that communi- ty members can support the mission of Moms Helping Moms Foundation: • Donate baby or children’s items including clothes, shoes, strollers, and high chairs; • Volunteer to help sort clothes, package diapers, or fill a client’s wish list; the organization wel- comes volunteers during specific weekday hours, on one Wednesday night a month for ‘Sort & Sip’ events, and on the second Saturday of each month; • Host a Diaper Drive on the organi- zation’s behalf, for which the Foun- dation can provide a tool kit; and • Help the foundation expand its programs and reach more people by providing monetary support. “We can purchase diapers for a fraction of the market price and size them appropriately for each child,” Cutler said. The non-profit is at 22 Howard St. (back building) in North Plainfield and can be reached at info@momshelping momsfoundation.org . For guidelines on the types of donations the organi- zation will accept, visit momshelping momsfoundation.org/donate . Moms Helping Moms Foundation – Supporting Low-Income Families ElizasTwisted.net Organic Pretzels, Seasoned, Ready to Cook. Twisted the way you want! IN GOURMET STORES EVERYWHERE Eliza’s Twisted P r e t z e l s w i t h a U n i q u e T w i s t www.theconnectionsnj.com