The arrival of a new baby is a joyous time; it can also create stress for some families. United Way of Greater New Bedford’s Women United initiative, Baby Bundles, has been working to lessen that stress since 2018 by providing baby necessities to moms in need.
Since its inception,1,000 bags have been given out through Women United and our community partners. This year, Baby Bundles was reimagined into a Community Baby Shower for new and expecting moms and their family. The event was designed to share the experience of a baby shower with the invited guests complete with new baby gifts for every mom and some fun activities for guests.
In partnership with local health providers and community service agencies, expecting women and new moms were invited to register for the event and receive a Baby Bundle as well as many other baby necessities. Nineteen community agencies also took part providing information about programs and resources available in Greater New Bedford.
United Way’s Women United works closely with local businesses and our Women United leaders and supporters to collect many of the items given out to registered moms. Through the generosity of a local donor, 36 of the moms received baby monitors while 100 moms received over 2,400 baby necessities in their Baby Bundle. 6,000 diapers were given out and attendees were also entered to win other amazing items to support their child and their parenting journey.
Women United is grateful to our Baby Bundles drive hosts, Community Baby Shower partners and the volunteers who made the event both fun and successful.
Check out highlights from our first Community Baby Shower:
Community Baby Shower Partners
Thank you to all our partners who made the day extra special:
- Tufts Health Plan, a Point32Health Company
- The Family Centered Unit at St. Luke's Hospital
- The Jake Fabian Memorial Fund
- New Bedford Community Connections Coalition
- The Yarn Lady
- Baby Boudoir
- New Bedford Police Department
- New Bedford Community Health
- Meg Johnson
- Folia