Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Kiwanis BabyCare
Cupboard?
The
BabyCare Cupboard
is a non-profit charitable program
sponsored by local Kiwanis Clubs and
Kiwanis International.
The
purpose of the BabyCare
Cupboards is to serve
babies and young children of our
community by supplying infant
necessities such as diapers, formula
and baby food to low-income Utah
families to meet their basic
survival needs and to address
essential issues affecting their
quality of life.
What is Kiwanis?
“Kiwanis is a
global organization of volunteers
dedicated to changing the world one
child and one community at a time.” Kiwanis
was organized in 1915 in Detroit,
Mich. Kiwanis Club
chapters are now found in 96
countries. “A typical
Kiwanis club is a snapshot of its
community, with members from all
walks of life and at every step of
the career ladder. They are unified
in their belief that children and
their communities benefit from the
efforts of a proficient group of
caring and involved volunteers.”
Why did Kiwanis establish
BabyCare Cupboards?
More than
200,000 Utahns live under the
poverty line.
Thirty-nine percent of them are
children. Many
families struggle to provide
the basic needs of infants and
toddlers.
After learning
of the vital need to provide
diapers, formula, baby food and
other care items, the Capitol Hill
Kiwanis Club began its
BabyCare Cupboard
in 2000. Since then,
the Club has assisted eight other
club chapters to start
BabyCare Cupboards
in their own areas, making vital
resources available to children and
families in many Utah and Idaho
communities.
How are Babycare Cupboard
materials dispersed?
All
BabyCare Cupboards
work in cooperation with already
existing food pantries or shelter
centers. This method
keeps costs
and maintenance to a minimum, while
providing substantial service to
needy families.
Kiwanis Clubs are mainly involved
with
fundraising efforts, keeping
BabyCare Cupboards stocked,
while allowing food pantry personnel
the freedom to disperse materials as
needed.
How many people has BabyCare
Cupboard helped so far?
Many statistics
are not currently available.
However,
8,696 children received
assistance in 2004 and one
chapter alone served 1,366
infants and children per month
through BabyCare Cupboards in 2005.
Kiwanis BabyCare Cupboards make a
difference!
How are BabyCare Cupboards
funded?
The Capitol Hill
Kiwanis Club established the first
BabyCare Cupboard with money from
the club’s own fundraising efforts.
In 2004
and 2005, the Capitol Hill Kiwanis
Club was awarded $25,000 grants from
Kiwanis International.
The Capitol Hill Club has used the
grant money to assist eight other
area chapters to establish local
BabyCare Cupboards.
Chapters
interested in establishing
BabyCare Cupboards
must first raise $2,500 through
their own efforts. The
Capitol Hill
Kiwanis Club will then match that
sum in helping to serve children and
families in local communities.
How can I get involved?
Individuals
wishing to contribute goods, money
or time can do so at their local
BabyCare Cupboard.
Donations are always
welcome.
One way to make
a big difference in your own
community is to join your local
Kiwanis Club. Speak with a Kiwanis
member for more information.