Bottoms up.



CCFI Baby Pantry



Imagine everything it takes to be a parent.
Now imagine it without diapers.

Many families struggle to provide basic needs for their children. In fact, one in three mothers will struggle to provide clean, dry diapers for their babies. Contrary to popular belief, government programs do not assist with paper products, including diapers, and many daycare and child care agencies will only accept disposable diapers. With that said it becomes a difficult situation, and often times a choice, for parents struggling to make ends meet.

However, the Center for Children and Families, Inc.’s (CCFI) Baby Pantry assists parents in being able to meet these essential needs. One of our core organizational beliefs here at CCFI is that all parents need help and should never be ashamed to ask for advice, diapers or support. We see caregivers that seek help in raising their children every day at CCFI and know it is a sign of maturity and hope – never failure.
Anytime you can help lessen stress and assist families in being successful parents you are teaching them valuable skills.  Stressed parents do not always make positive decisions. By offering support and hope we are providing the opportunity for parents to have one less stressor in their lives.  Sometimes it helps just knowing that someone cares…and is there when you need them the most. Our Baby Pantry serves that role and is there for when parents need it the most.

At CCFI we’ve been fortunate to stock our Baby Pantry entirely on community donations and provided thousands of parents with nearly 40,000 diapers and hundreds of essential items (baby wipes, formula and cereal) in 2011. If we can provide support, encouragement and hope to families by allowing them to focus on the more important areas of parenting, like the relationship with their little ones, then it’s truly a benefit for the parent, child and the family as a whole, all of which transcends into a healthier community.

This April...

Promote Happier Childhoods

Across our neighborhoods, community and state we want to see love in place of the abuse that shatters the lives of more than 8,000 children in Oklahoma annually.

Abuse is an epidemic affecting our entire state — taking the lives of too many children — yet no one wants to talk about the topic of child abuse. Moreover many people are just not aware of child abuse, its signs or that they can and must speak up – because it may save a child’s life.

Starting today, we want to inspire you to begin conversations and attract attention to the cause and join CCFI in promoting happier childhoods across our community for National Child Abuse Prevention Month during Apri

Show your support. Help us prevent child abuse.

Host a diaper drive

Donate/collect diapers of all sizes for our Baby Pantry at CCFI. Help us keep little bottoms covered, clean and dry. Tell your friends, family, neighbors and coworkers to join you or do the same!

Go BLUE

Since 1989, thousands of people nationwide wear the blue ribbon to create awareness of the need to keep kids safe and families strong. Get all the information for blue ribbon and children abuse prevention awareness initiatives here.  

Join Us

Join us at the Capitol as we meet with legislators and showcase prevention efforts in our community. Please come by and visit our booth, we'd be glad to answer any questions or to have your help! For more information on Child Abuse Prevention Day at the Capitol click here.

Lend Your Voice

Get involved as an individual by:

Write your state or federal elected officials to advocate for greater healthy child development and child abuse prevention funding. After all, child development is a building block for community development and economic development, things we all believe in.

Get involved as a local organization by:

·         Joining Child Abuse Prevention Month activities in April.

·         Incorporating child abuse prevention into your work.

·         Discussing child abuse prevention at your conferences and meetings.

·         Contacting us to explore the possibilities.

Get involved as a company by:

·         Having change canisters, pinups, or electronic donation opportunities for customers.

·         Sponsoring awareness activities in the community.  

·         Printing messages on your bags or insert bill-stuffers to bring attention to this issue.

·         Inviting your employees to show their support by building a blue ribbon tree.

·         Creating a pinwheel garden on your company's premises in April to show your support during Child Abuse Prevention Month.

·         Contributing your company's professional expertise to help us advance this campaign and our organization's mission.

·         Donating or supporting the purchase of advertising space to help continue getting the word out.

If you have any questions or would like any more information about the content above, contact Stacy Hawthorne at shawthorne@ccfinorman.org or call 405-364-1420.

Veteran Raises Resources for Local Families

Johnnie Mitchell, a Vietnam Veteran, continues tradition with a successful second annual “For the Children” diaper drive during December 

Jeannie Parker, Johnnie Mitchell and Martha Lewis with diaper drive donations.

As a resident in the Norman Veterans Center, Johnnie Mitchell began looking for ways to make a positive impact two years ago. Upon hearing about the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) diaper drive opportunity he knew how he wanted to make a difference.

“I am a parent and I remember(ed) how difficult it was for my family to have a good supply of diapers,” said Mitchell. “With the economy the way it is, I figured this is something that people really need this time of year.”

'For the Children' Display at NVC

With the help of fellow Veterans, staff members and visitors to the Norman Veterans Center, Johnnie’s ‘For the Children’ diaper drive resulted in more than 1,400 diapers for CCFI’s diaper closet, which is open to the public.

“Everyone thinks of food, clothes and toys during the holidays, but diapers just aren’t brought up enough,” he said. “I am more than happy to help and very proud of the teamwork to make this happen.”

This is the second year Johnnie has coordinated the ‘For the Children’ Diaper Drive and says he is constantly thinking of ways to increase donations and keep the tradition going.Click here to read about the first 'For the Children' Diaper Drive.

Getting to the Bottom of it

Any parent will tell you it is a terrible inconvenience to run out to the drugstore late at night because you ran out of diapers. But this occasional inconvenience is nothing compared to the crisis unfolding across the nation for families who are unable to provide their children with an adequate supply of diapers.

The Facts

• Safety-net programs such as the SNAP (formerly food stamp program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers. 

• An adequate supply of diapers can cost over $100 per month. 

• The vast majority of licensed day care centers do not accept cloth diapers, and require parents and caregivers to provide a steady supply of disposable diapers.

• Most people living in poverty do not have affordable access to washing facilities. Furthermore, most coin-operated laundromats do not allow customers to wash cloth diapers for health and sanitary reasons.

The Impacts

• In poor and low-income families, a baby can spend a day or longer in one diaper, leading to potential health and abuse risks.

• Low-income parents cannot take advantage of free or subsidized childcare if they cannot afford to leave disposable diapers at childcare centers. If parents cannot access daycare, then they are less able to attend work or school on a consistent basis. This in turn leads to increased economic instability and a continuation of the cycle of poverty.

• Without transportation, buying diapers at an inner city convenience store rather than a large retailer can double or triple the monthly cost for diapers. Many parents are already struggling to pay for rent and food and simply cannot afford the high cost of an adequate supply of diapers for their children.

Keeping Children Healthy, Helping Families Become Self Sufficient

Every baby deserves a clean diaper. Children left for extended periods of time in dirty diapers are at a higher risk for health problems including severe diaper rash, urinary tract infections, jaundice, and even staph infections.  Babies left in soiled diapers are more likely to cry from discomfort, which can increase caregiver stress and parental depression. In extreme cases, this type of stress on a family unit may lead to child neglect and abuse.

Lacking a steady access to diapers may also result in a family’s inability to participate in childcare programs, school, and even regular employment. We know that early childhood learning and development are critical to at-risk children.

The majority of early care and education programs, including free or subsidized programs like Early Head Start, require parents to provide disposable diapers prior to entering the program. If a caregiver is unable to meet this requirement, they may not be able to participate in regular employment or job training programs – essential factors in a family’s ability to be self sufficient.

Donating diapers to low-income families might be the best gift of all.

No matter a mother’s financial standing, marital status, ethnicity, or education- each one of them sees changing their child’s diaper as a wonderful act of love for their baby. The experience of diapering is a channel for connection and love, as well as a source of confidence and pride for mothers. For mothers living in hardship, this sentiment is felt even stronger when they are able to give their babies a clean diaper as this basic necessity can be a struggle to come by. 

CCFI Public Diaper and Formula Closet.

Unfortunately, diapers are often a forgotten basic need that is lacking not only during the holidays, but year round. It’s always fun to donate toys during the holiday and is greatly appreciated by the staff, children and families at the Center for Children and Families, Inc. (CCFI) and other organizations alike; but for many families in need, diapers are hard to come by and many shelters and family resource centers have diapers at the top of their wish lists, including CCFI.

One of the biggest needs of those living below the poverty line is diapers and government programs do not provide funding for personal care items- including diapers. In Oklahoma, 25% of all babies are born into poverty (Annie E. Casey Foundation). In Norman poverty is steadily increasing. Ten years ago (2000), 27% of the Norman Public School population was eligible for free and reduced lunch. Today (2010) that number is 42%*.

Some families have to compromise on necessities like food and heating to be able to afford diapers. In addition, there are some parents who can only afford a few diapers a day for their children and may sometimes have to re-use soiled disposable diapers. During the holiday months, staying warm and having the financial stresses of gift giving can overwhelm families with diaper need.

So when you’re out and about doing your holiday shopping, why not buy an extra pack or case of diapers or a can of formula to donate to your local diaper closet and help families in need?

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* data from Norman Public Schools

Want more information? Wondering about reusable diapers? Want to know why it’s such a struggle for parents faced with diaper need? Read these articles: Basic Need for the Poor: Diapers and Mother, Can You Spare a Dime?

The Bare Necessity

Over the next few weeks we’d like to shed some light on a common necessity that is often overlooked, something that we all have either worn, purchased or changed: Diapers.

CCFI Public Diaper and Formula Closet.

A recent study from Huggies found that 55% of U.S. mothers have never before thought about the problem of caregivers in their community not having enough diapers for their children’s daily needs. However, compromising on necessities and only having a few diapers for a given day is more common than we think.
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Keeping a child in a clean diaper is a struggle for less fortunate families. Each day in Oklahoma caregivers are faced with the unfortunate decision of having to choose one basic necessity over another. When families have trouble providing diapers, there are typically few places they can turn for help. Many community based organizations and food banks don't usually carry diapers and government-based support programs do not allow for the purchase of diapers.

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Mothers report that keeping their child in a clean diaper is one of the most important things they do for their child. No matter a mother’s financial standing, marital status, ethnicity, or education- each one of them sees changing their child’s diaper as a wonderful act of love for their baby. For mothers living in hardship, this sentiment is felt even stronger when they are able to give their babies a clean diaper as this basic necessity can be a struggle to come by.

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With the help of community members, we have been able to keep the Center's Baby Pantry open to the public for more than 20 years. In the past year, we have given over 3,000 diapers and 350 cans of formula to families in need in the Norman community.