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Birthright FM asks Clay County for $5,000 to sustain diaper, formula and basic‑needs distribution
Summary
Birthright Fargo‑Moorhead requested $5,000 from the county to keep its doors open and supply diapers, formula and basic needs to infants and families; county staff suggested routing a funding request through Public Health and noted the program serves residents across the region.
Birthright Fargo‑Moorhead asked the Clay County Board on July 1 for $5,000 in financial assistance to sustain a volunteer‑run distribution program that supplies diapers, wipes, formula, clothing and basic supplies to families with young children.
Nicole Sanders, Birthright's volunteer coordinator and executive director, told commissioners the organization has served growing numbers of clients since 2022, driven in part by increases in immigrant households in the region. She said Birthright currently operates two days a week and averages six to eight new clients a week; the organization reported serving about 440 people so far this year.
Family Health Supervisor Liz Bierf told the board Family Health and WIC frequently refer clients to Birthright and that the organization is an important community resource when families face urgent needs such as formula shortages. Administration and public health staff suggested that if the board wishes to support Birthright financially, the request could be routed through Public Health during the county's budget process or considered under existing social‑service contracting practices so the support can be tracked and administered.
No funding decision was made at the meeting; Birthright representatives left the board with guidance on how to include the request in upcoming budget discussions and how community members can donate or drop off goods at Birthright's location in the Family Service Center.
