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Giving Closet resource drive aims to boost basics for parents and link families to MCH classes
Summary
NBCPHA staff reported 24 registrants for the Giving Closet drive serving parents and children, requested municipal outreach help and said donations of diapers and personal-care items are most needed; staff plan wider promotion in February and to link the drive to maternal-child-health courses.
Regional staff for the Northern Bristol County Public Health Alliance described plans to expand the Giving Closet resource drive, which aims to collect diapers, formula, personal hygiene items and other essentials to support parents enrolling in maternal-child-health (MCH) programming.
Erika Syokau, representing regional staff and affiliated with BME Strategies, said the drive currently shows 24 registrants, with at least one registrant from each participating municipality. Staff asked coalition members to amplify outreach through municipal websites and social media and to consider additional donation box locations supported by health directors.
Members discussed logistics and sustainability. Geri Hamel proposed broader promotion in February so donations can follow the holiday period; Anne Marie Fleming expressed concern about the drive’s long-term sustainability and cautioned staff time needs could detract from programming. Melissa Silverman, the regional public health nurse, said existing partners lack capacity to run lactation education and that staff are working to secure meeting rooms and subject-matter experts for upcoming MCH classes.
Next steps include strengthening partnerships with local pantries and statewide organizations (regional staff noted they are on a waiting list for Hope and Comfort), piloting printed materials such as mini cards for distribution in offices, and relying on municipal health directors to host donation boxes. Staff also plan to align the drive with MCH outreach and follow-up classes to connect recipients to services.
The coalition did not set a final decision date for an expanded outreach plan but asked members to prepare for a follow-up discussion at the February coalition meeting.
