Seattle - December 30, 2008

For Kids and Giggles

WestSide Baby Needs Donations

Here’s a West Side Story you haven’t heard before.

You just met a girl named Maria, a single mother of two who was recently laid off.

Maria turns to charities for child-rearing necessities — but they, too, are down on their luck.

WestSide Baby (and its hardworking staff of two) — which supplies almost 95 social agencies in the Seattle area with diapers, cribs, clothing, and toys — has been forced to turn away requests due to donation shortages. And from September to early November alone, the nonprofit saw demand more than double.

Diapers (especially sizes three to six), car seats, and boys’ clothes are always needed. But with many shelves entirely empty, the nonprofit will gladly accept any item listed on its site in new or gently used condition.

Not everything’s free (or easy) in America.

WestSide Baby, 10032 15th Avenue Southwest (206-767-1662 or westsidebaby.org). To volunteer, e-mail volunteercoordinator@westsidebaby.org.

  Do-Gooder