LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Orinda baby food store helps organization collect diapers for mothers in need


Diaper donation bin outside of Square Baby Photo Vera Kochan

According to Help A Mother Out, a nonprofit organization that distributes donated diapers to institutions and families in need, one in three families struggle to afford diapers, which can cost $75-$100 a month. Public assistance programs (such as food stamps) don't help with this basic need and the lack of a clean diaper can affect a baby's health, because they may have to spend extended time in a dirty diaper. Most childcare programs require parents to provide clean diapers. Without clean diapers, babies must stay at home with adult supervision, thereby keeping the adult unemployed, reducing the family's chances of being financially self-sufficient. Square Baby in Orinda's Theatre Square is teaming up with HAMO to help.

Donated diapers can be placed in the large bin outside of Square Baby on a continuing basis. Katie Thomson, co-owner along with Kendall Glynn, says, "We will accept diapers, pull-ups and baby wipes (in original packaging), new cloth pocket diapers, even partial boxes (unopened sleeves) of diapers and wipes such as those purchased in big box stores." Sizes 4-6 are especially needed, but all sizes are accepted and appreciated.

Square Baby, which sells baby food aimed at providing "a square meal," has also been involved with donating its products to Family House, a sister organization of UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital that provides extended stay to families of children being treated for cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Thomson and her husband, Kevin, Square Baby's marketing director, have taken their two children with them to volunteer at Family House. "We want them to appreciate how lucky they are," Thomson explained.

Patients at Family House can enjoy a variety of healthy baby food such as Mango Coconut Chicken, Salmon Mash, Apple Rosemary Lentils and Peachy Oatmeal, just to name a few.

Square Baby also sponsors a periodic Mom's Night Out at the store where they give away baby meals, swag bags and gift certificates for Baby Boot Camp, a workout class for moms who just had a baby.

With personally developed recipes and all natural ingredients, Square Baby has begun to ship product throughout California, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Arizona and most recently Colorado. Thomson states, "We expect to ship to the East Coast next year."

For more information about Square Baby, visit www.squarebaby.com or call (415) 273-9756. The Orinda store, located at 2 Theatre Square, suite 112, is open Monday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

For information about Help A Mother Out, visit www.helpamotherout.org.