BUFFALO, N.Y. — A new study shoes how expensive childcare in Buffalo is about $1,400 a month.
That's not factoring in diapers, wipes and baby cloths.
In order to help with that, several Western New York churches and organizations are coming together to host the 2nd annual community baby shower.
It takes a lot to raise a baby, but some new moms and moms-to-be are going to get some help through Harvest House Buffalo's community-wide baby shower.
According to the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) and BabyCenter, it costs around $1,500 and $3,000 for all major baby gear, like cribs, strollers, car seats and high chairs. Parents can expect to spend around $70 to $100 on diapers and wipes alone. That's up to $1,200 per year.
Throughout the entire month of September, Harvest House is working with 25 Western New York churches, businesses and civic organizations to get more baby gear and supplies into the hands of families who need it the most.
This drive is an effort to get additional supplies needed ahead of the Harvest House's busiest season of the year.
The items that are needed the most are: new or lightly used baby clothes (NB-4T), socks (ages 3+), baby diapers (all sizes, but especially sizes 2, 3, 4 and 5), towels, wash cloths, wipes, baby bottles and baby lotions.
All of these supplies will help families who come to Harvest House's baby and children's ministry.
"We are finding in Buffalo that more families are living on the edge of poverty and in poverty. In the last few years, rents have increased. The cost of food has increased. So that pinches our low income families even more," Carol Murphy, CEO at Harvest House Buffalo.
It is estimated that over 17,000 children live in poverty on the east side of Buffalo, which is a community that Harvest House helps often and they have gone from helping 400 kids a month to now 750.
To help mothers in Western New York, you can donate the items listed above at Harvest House Buffalo's location at 175 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo.
They are open from Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit their Amazon Wish List to have items directly delivered to the drive.
If you are a mom or soon to be mom and you need help, you can visit their location. All the items are given to the community at no cost.
