WWYD - church food drive for infants

[ABand3]

Today at the church I attend there were signs and an announcement that August is 'infant month' for donations to the local food bank. We have food drives year round, but (as the sign said) most of our donations 'leave out' infants, so we'll focus on infant food this month.

We'll my breastfeeding/lactivist self first thought infant food = breastmilk, is the food bank really taking breastmilk donations? . Um, no, read a bit further and of course it asks for formula, baby cereal, plastic tubs of baby food.

How can I be a lactivist here - obviously most people using the food bank have already decided or not to bf. I was thinking of getting together a packet of LLL info to put in the box, but fear it will just get thrown out by whatever random volunteer at the food bank is unloading our boxes.

I don't think that my church has really thought this through - the food bank has expressed a need, and they are trying to fill it, without judgement (or really, without thought.)

I'm thinking of calling the food bank to see what (if any) breastfeeding promotion they do. It's seems like an easy choice (to naive me) that if you are living in povery, free breastmilk is better than expensive formula (I know there's more to it, support, information, years of our culture telling us it's not important).

I cannot bring myself to buy formula, or cereal that will probably be used too soon/too much, but many others will, so babies will continue to get bottles of cereal before 6 months.

What would you do?

[ledzepplon]

I personally would not judge. I think you could throw in some pamphlets or books in addition to food, but I don't think this is the most effective place to make a statement.

I'd donate some formula/food, and then perhaps focus my lactivism efforts at a local pregnancy resource center.

[Da WIC Lady]

I would donate cereals, and jar foods, but also contact the food bank about outreach efforts regarding breastfeeding. This would also be a good time to talk to whoever is in charge of the food drive and ask about breastfeeding promotion in the congregation, like a mother's room, a guest speaker from the LLL, or even post a note in the bulliten about August being World Breastfeeding Month depending on how active you are and what programs you church offers. Perhaps you might be able to put something together yourself like a class at the regular food bank distribution site or if you need resources I can point you in the direction of free posters and other materials.

Anna

[firstkid4me]

Personally, I wouldn't donate formula either, WIC provides formula to those that decided (or needed) to ff, it's not the food bank's place to provide it IMO. Is there anything else you can donate, like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, etc?

[wonderwahine]

Originally Posted by firstkid4me

Personally, I wouldn't donate formula either, WIC provides formula to those that decided (or needed) to ff, it's not the food bank's place to provide it IMO. Is there anything else you can donate, like diapers, wipes, diaper cream, etc?

WIC is only supplemental, so you can and do run out sometimes. I would donate if you can afford it. I used to use the formula coupons and checks that came in the mail for me, to buy formula at extremly low prices, then I would donate them to my visiting nurse who is part of a program for young first time mothers, most of which who have already gone far past the time of trying to bf again.

[terrordactyl]

another thing to note is alot of low income moms have to work fulltime and that could be the reason they are using formula (not that i think it is a good thing)

[Turkish Kate]

How about a food grinder or two that can be used to make homemade, nutritious baby foods? Cloth diapers? Tubes of Lansinoh? Nursing pads?

[Sandstress]

Originally Posted by ABand3

How can I be a lactivist here - obviously most people using the food bank have already decided or not to bf. I was thinking of getting together a packet of LLL info to put in the box, but fear it will just get thrown out by whatever random volunteer at the food bank is unloading our boxes.

I don't think that my church has really thought this through - the food bank has expressed a need, and they are trying to fill it, without judgement (or really, without thought.)

I'm thinking of calling the food bank to see what (if any) breastfeeding promotion they do. It's seems like an easy choice (to naive me) that if you are living in povery, free breastmilk is better than expensive formula (I know there's more to it, support, information, years of our culture telling us it's not important).

I cannot bring myself to buy formula, or cereal that will probably be used too soon/too much, but many others will, so babies will continue to get bottles of cereal before 6 months.

What would you do?

If you don't want to buy formula, that's ok. Certainly I wouldn't hesitate to donate any freebies I got. We donated the 2 forumula cans that can in our "breastfeeding bag" (We still use the small cooler though! THANKS formula company!)

The LLL packet to go to the food bank sounds good. Maybe contact them (the food bank) directly and get involved in outreach, if you have the time and inclination? In a situation like this, I guess I"m torn between trying to adhere to some lactivism standard and fulfilling a real need that people have. I don't know the right answer.

[rmzbm]

I just woundn't participate in this food drive & wait for the next one!

[p1gg1e]

see if your friends have formula samples( freebies) they can donate to you + breast pads, LLL info etc....

[elmh23]

I'd donate any "free" samples I got. I would not purchase formula and instead would get jarred food (when you're working full time, maybe 2 jobs, making baby food isn't a priority!) and diapers and wipes (sposies cause not everyone has access to their own washing machines and taking cloth to the laundrymat sucks!)

[gsd1amommy]

Originally Posted by rmzbm

I just woundn't participate in this food drive & wait for the next one!

so, if you don't breastfeed, then your baby doesn't deserve a jar of peaches or peas or a little cereal. Are you serious?

Sorry. This one totally touched a nerve. This is a FOOD DRIVE! FOR INFANTS! and apparently the people benefitting from it NEED stuff. to feed their kids. Not a bunch of pamphlets about how they should be doing it. Come on! No, formula and rice cereal and jarred food aren't the absolute best thing for babies. We can all agree to that. But at the end of the day, it is better than nothing in their stomachs! We know that WIC is available to low income families also. What about those who don't qualify but need a little something extra when the paycheck runs out or an emergency happens.
For some women, breastfeeding is absolutely NOT possible. Donated milk is not an always option. Formula is it for them. So because of that, their kids don't deserve anything else? Not even the ill thought of jarred food? Not believing this.
I breastfeed. I wish every one did. I know it is not likely to happen anytime soon but I still hold out hope. I don't deny anyone the right to be a lactivist. In fact, visiting here has helped me nurse in public without fear and embarrassment but advising someone to skip a contribution just because the food bnk wants something people can actuallly put in their babies tummy...WRONG!!! SOrry.
Rant over and don't flame me. It would not be good for the 10 week old usually attached to one nipple or the other.

[carriebft]

Theres no need to jump on someone for stating that they would not participate in a food drive where formula is requested. I do not participate in many different kinds of food drives because I feel there are other ones which do a better job and motivate people to bring more acceptable kinds of food to help needy families.

In addition, there are many who believe the giving of samples continues to drive up prices and compromise supply of breastmilk.

To the OP: can you find out if this month is a special month dedicated to infants for this drive center, and then maybe work with that "special infant month" theme (if indeed there is one). Perhaps they have some seminars going this month on infant nutrition...something you can get involved with that doesn't compromise your feelings on this issue.

[annettemarie]

I wouldn't buy formula, but I would buy other baby goods. I might also go to the WIC office and pick up some brochures for the church office to have on hand, and maybe get some LLL pamphlets to put in there as well. You could also buy disposable breastpads, maybe get some Lansinoh samples. You could even drop in a note that says something like "I'd be happy to offer support or help to any moms who want to breastfeed."

[Da WIC Lady]

I know the food bank also helps out in disasters when people who normally would have formula don't because of having to evacuate or it is destroyed in fire or flood. Like PPs said, not everyone is able to breastfeed for a variety of reasons if we like it or not. That was a really hard reality I had to face early on with my job being breastfeeding support and education. WIC and the health department will help with disasters too, but not everyone that can be effected by a disaster qualifies financially. (Not that I'm sure that they do financial stuff in a disaster) The cool thing is we have foot pedal operated pumps for just such an emergency.

Anna

[veganf]

I'd buy some organic baby food, organic whole grain baby cereal, unscented baby wipes, sippy cups, and some healthier packaged finger foods. And maybe I'd visit a few resale shops and used bookstores to see if I could find some cheap good baby books, food mill, bibs, etc.

[firstkid4me]

Originally Posted by gsd1amommy

so, if you don't breastfeed, then your baby doesn't deserve a jar of peaches or peas or a little cereal. Are you serious?

Sorry. This one totally touched a nerve. This is a FOOD DRIVE! FOR INFANTS! and apparently the people benefitting from it NEED stuff. to feed their kids. Not a bunch of pamphlets about how they should be doing it. Come on! No, formula and rice cereal and jarred food aren't the absolute best thing for babies. We can all agree to that. But at the end of the day, it is better than nothing in their stomachs! We know that WIC is available to low income families also. What about those who don't qualify but need a little something extra when the paycheck runs out or an emergency happens.
For some women, breastfeeding is absolutely NOT possible. Donated milk is not an always option. Formula is it for them. So because of that, their kids don't deserve anything else? Not even the ill thought of jarred food? Not believing this.
I breastfeed. I wish every one did. I know it is not likely to happen anytime soon but I still hold out hope. I don't deny anyone the right to be a lactivist. In fact, visiting here has helped me nurse in public without fear and embarrassment but advising someone to skip a contribution just because the food bnk wants something people can actuallly put in their babies tummy...WRONG!!! SOrry.
Rant over and don't flame me. It would not be good for the 10 week old usually attached to one nipple or the other.

Guilt is a funny emotion, it has really no purpose but to keep us in line, doing the right thing. I was raised Catholic, so I have a heightened guilt meter (that's what I call it anyways.) I feel guilty over small things, and I know myself enough to know that if I gave formula to a food bank, I would feel guilty. I would feel guilty because I would have no way of knowing if the formula was going to someone who really tried breastfeeding, or someone who is completely uneducated about the benefits (or doesn't care) of breastfeeding and never tried. I'm not saying the moms that chose to formula feed from birth aren't deserving, but I couldn't in good conscious bring myself to donate formula to them, I feel it would conflict with my feelings about lactivism. Everyone has different beliefs on exactly what lactivism is (evident on this board - no, that's not snark) and to sit there and say that her belief of what lactivism is is wrong, is not right IMO.

[ledzepplon]

Originally Posted by firstkid4me

Guilt is a funny emotion, it has really no purpose but to keep us in line, doing the right thing. I was raised Catholic, so I have a heightened guilt meter (that's what I call it anyways.) I feel guilty over small things, and I know myself enough to know that if I gave formula to a food bank, I would feel guilty. I would feel guilty because I would have no way of knowing if the formula was going to someone who really tried breastfeeding, or someone who is completely uneducated about the benefits (or doesn't care) of breastfeeding and never tried. I'm not saying the moms that chose to formula feed from birth aren't deserving, but I couldn't in good conscious bring myself to donate formula to them, I feel it would conflict with my feelings about lactivism. Everyone has different beliefs on exactly what lactivism is (evident on this board - no, that's not snark) and to sit there and say that her belief of what lactivism is is wrong, is not right IMO.

I hear you, but at the end of the day, there are going to be some moms who just won't bf or just can't bf, and I don't believe it's my job to police everyone.

Certainly breast is best, and my kids never had a drop of formula. I can totally understand not wanting to put money in the pockets of the formula companies, and not wanting to encourage formula feeding over breastfeeding. But I'd rather have someone's child getting adequate formula than jarred food, because those solids lacks the proper nutrients for an infant.

Originally Posted by firstkid4me

I'm not saying the moms that chose to formula feed from birth aren't deserving, but I couldn't in good conscious bring myself to donate formula to them, I feel it would conflict with my feelings about lactivism.

I'm not trying to change your mind, but you wouldn't be donating to the moms. You'd be donating to the babies. (And I'm Catholic, too, so I understand your guilt-o-meter!)

[captivatedlife]

I also would not support the formula companies.... but would probably go along with providing information. Nursing pads, lansinoh, etc. Personally, I don't think I would feel comfortable giving baby food either for the simple fact that I don't want people to think that baby food is necessary. Baby food is much cheaper (better) even if they only open a can of carrots and mash with a fork. This is a hard one.

I might volunteer my time to go down and distribute goods though!

[carriebft]

Originally Posted by captivatedlife

I also would not support the formula companies.... but would probably go along with providing information. Nursing pads, lansinoh, etc. Personally, I don't think I would feel comfortable giving baby food either for the simple fact that I don't want people to think that baby food is necessary. Baby food is much better even if they only open a can of carrots and mash with a fork. This is a hard one.

I might volunteer my time to go down and distribute goods though!

This is another excellent point. I found that one apple provided about 3 servings for my babe...and I got a whole bag of apples for 2$(about the price of three jars!)