First Chance for Children (FC4C) hands out nearly 400 packages of diapers directly to mid-Missouri families each month. In November, that number doubled, as the U.S. government shutdown impacted financial assistance. In just forty-eight hours, FC4C distributed more than a third of its typical monthly supply, with more families calling every day.
“What we are witnessing is no longer simply a financial hardship; it has become a mental health crisis for parents who are unable to provide food or diapers for their babies,” FC4C Executive Director Gay Litteken said in a news release. “The stress, fear, and uncertainty our families are experiencing right now is profound.”
Litteken said that without support, many families are left overwhelmed and embarrassed over their financial situations. That stress can worsen if children’s needs aren’t met, especially when it comes to diapers, baby formula, and diapering supplies.
Diapers are essential goods, yet unlike groceries, they are not covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP is a government program that allots money to low-income individuals whose household gross monthly income is at or below the poverty line requirement. If approved, applicants are given an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card, which can be used to purchase groceries.
During the government shutdown, many government assistance programs were frozen. That resulted in many families no longer having the extra support SNAP gives them each month, which meant that money had to be cut from other areas of the family budget.
One of those areas was child care essentials. A single box of diapers can cost from $30 to $50, which, for the average working-class citizen, can be more than an hourly wage. Across Missouri, the consequences show up quickly. Some parents might try stretch diapers longer than recommended, which can lead to diaper rash, infections, and emergency room visits. But it also affects the adults in the home.
Without a reliable diaper supply, parents might be unable to drop children off at day care, since state and private child care facilities require families to supply diapers. This means many parents could lose hours at work or risk losing their jobs entirely. And it’s why FC4C’s Baby Bags Diaper Bank has had an increase in requests for assistance.
Litteken said rural areas often see the highest need due to fewer supply resources, longer travel distances, and higher child care barriers. To counter those issues, FC4C partners with several agencies across thirteen counties to make assistance more accessible.
FC4C’s Baby Bags program distributes diapers, wipes, formula, and hygiene items to families across Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Marion, Moniteau, Monroe, Osage, Ralls, Randolph, and Sullivan counties. The organization’s home office is at 1002 Fay St. in Columbia. Working in tandem with local partners, the program provides supplies to families who fall at or below 200 percent of the poverty line and have children aged 0-5.
FC4C partners with the following distribution agencies to supply diapers to families in need:
- California Parents as Teachers
- Chamois Parents as Teachers
- Columbia/Boone County Public Health Department
- Central Missouri Community Action
- City of Refuge
- Columbia Housing Authority
- Columbia Parents as Teachers
- Fayette Parents as Teachers
- Fulton Parents as Teachers
- Great Circle
- Harrisburg Parents as Teachers
- Healthy Steps
- Jefferson City Parents as Teachers
- Johnston Early Learning
- Lutheran Family and Children’s Services
- Prairie Home Parents as Teachers
- Refugee & Immigration Services
- Serve Inc
- South Callaway Parents as Teachers
- Sturgeon Parents as Teachers
- Tipton Parents as Teachers
- True North
- Voluntary Action Center
- Welcome Home
For those interested in joining the cause, FC4C encourages donations. Donations can be made between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, at FC4C’s Columbia location. Supply donations could include diapers (sizes 4, 5, and 6), pull-ups (sizes 3T–5T), baby wipes, formula and baby food, baby hygiene essentials, and cleaning supplies. Monetary donations, which can be made online, are especially encouraged since the organization can buy products in bulk.
FC4C also has a government connection through the Missouri Diaper Bank Tax Credit Program, which offers a 50 percent state tax credit for donations of $100 or more. A $500 gift results in a $250 tax credit, a $1,000 gift results in a $500 tax credit, and so on. The tax credit is available to corporations, financial institutions, S-corp shareholders, partnerships, and individuals.
Apart from its diaper program, FC4C has several other child and family welfare programs, including:
- Baby U — a multi-week educational program for expecting and current caregivers that emphasizes bonding, development, and healthy parenting practices. It is available to Boone County residents.
- Lend & Learn Play Centers — free play spaces offering toys, socialization opportunities, and caregiver support. Locations include indoor and outdoor play, events, and supply assistance.
- The Safe Cribs program — supplies cribs, sheets, and onesies to infants aged 0-1, alongside safe sleep education.
These programs work together to address the overlapping challenges families could face, including child care needs, postpartum stress, developmental delays, financial strain, and social isolation.
Litteken emphasized the importance of not just providing aid but building trust and relationships with families. One such relationship-building opportunity was a meal FC4C hosted during the month of November.
“We called it Wacky Waffle Wednesday,” she explained. “My amazing team said, ‘What can we do to lift people’s spirits and bring them together?’ We provided them a meal, and they connected.”
Litteken added, “There is a lot of fear out there if you are a parent and you cannot afford the basic needs. We want to be able to help them. If they come in for diapers and wipes, there is probably a need for something else. That’s where we establish that relationship and talk about what other resources we could connect them with.”
First Chance for Children
Board of Directors
- Shelley Robinson, president
- Mike Mouser, treasurer
- Kara Amann-Kale, secretary
- Alexandria Otis, director
- Gena Scott, director
- Abby Carpenter, director
- Tyler Peasel, director
- Jennifer Martin, director
- Brandi Schumacher, director
Baby Bags Program
Qualifying families can get supplies once a month from the Baby Bags diaper bank program by going to the First Chance for Children office during regular drop-in hours or by calling to schedule an appointment. FC4C is located at 1002 Fay St. in Columbia. Items are also available through partner agencies in Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Marion, Moniteau, Monroe, Osage, Ralls, Randolph, and Sullivan counties.
The Baby Bags supplies are intended for children from birth to age 5 who are from families that fall at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty line, or those who otherwise qualify based on need. Call 573-777-1815 for details.
Baby Bags may contain:
- Diapers: One package of approximately twenty-five diapers and wipes per age-eligible child.
- Home and health items: Two items per family. Typical items in stock include baby shampoo, diaper cream, dish soap, and baby lotion.
- Smart Start Kit: A kit including diapers, wipes, healthcare kit, home childproofing kit, bathwater thermometer, infant onesie, community resources, and child safety information.
