Cherokee County, GA – Helping Mamas^®, fondly referred to as The Baby Supply Bank of Georgia, is a non-profit organization providing essential baby and mother supplies to needy families. The Cherokee County Health Department is one of the partnering agencies that has received supplies from Helping Mamas^® to distribute to residents who require assistance.

The partnership between Helping Mamas^® and the Cherokee County Health Department is a valuable resource for families who struggle to afford basic baby supplies and period products. The donated items include diapers, wipes, formula, period supplies, and other essentials that can be costly for families on a limited budget.

Natalia Plasencia of the Cherokee County Health Department spearheaded the application for this donation. She said, "We are incredibly grateful to Helping Mamas for their generosity. Our Canton and Woodstock Health Centers will distribute these items to mothers enrolled in our public health programs that include Babies Can't Wait, the Pregnancy Medicaid program, the Safe Sleep and Car Seat programs, and the Prenatal Care program.”

According to Helping Mamas^®, forty percent of low-income families have to choose between diapers and food for their children, and twenty percent of low-income women report missing work, school, or similar events due to a lack of access to period supplies. But by working together, Helping Mamas^® and the Cherokee County Health Department can provide much-needed support to families who are experiencing financial hardship and cannot pay for many necessities.

This partnership is an excellent example of how non-profit organizations and government agencies can work together to make a positive impact in their community.

Based in Norcross, Georgia, Helping Mamas^® was founded by a social worker who saw there were gaps in coordinated efforts to collect and distribute essential baby items or period products to women and children in need. Combining her passion for motherhood and social work, Jamie Lackey founded Helping Mamas out of her garage, collecting baby supplies from friends and family members and then distributing them to social workers serving women and children. By 2018, Helping Mamas had grown into a 9,000 square foot building where they operate today. Learn more about Helping Mamas at https://helpingmamas.org/.