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Charities across Australia are pulling together to make use of baby goods and ensure every baby has what it needs to thrive.
With the recent rash of decluttering sweeping Australia, sparked by US-based tidying guru Marie Kondo, householders are making a clean sweep of their clutter and reclaiming their living and storage space.
Furniture and baby care equipment certainly fall into the category of ‘time to let go’ as children grow out of them and their needs change and despite Kondo encouraging us to ‘thank items’ for their service and move on, many items are still in good working order and we’d love to rehome. Beyond your immediate network of community and mothers’ groups, how can this be done?
You might be pleased to hear that a network of Australian “Sister” charities has collectively distributed more than $12 million of essential nursery equipment and children’s clothing to families in crisis over the past 12 months.
Operating in fifteen cities, in all 6 states and the ACT, the organisations share the belief that by reusing and recycling valuable nursery equipment like prams, cots and car seats, they give the community a way of sharing the joy of parenthood while making a major contribution to reducing landfill.
These organisations provide a valuable service to their local communities by distributing donations that include everything from triple prams to essentials like nappies, wipes and formula, clothing, bedding books and toys.
Together these sister organisations have collected, cleaned, safety checked and distributed over 3000 car seats, 4000 prams and 2000 cots.
“Our vision is a future where we waste less, share more and care for every baby and child. 96% of everything we gave away last year was used, but excellent quality, and thoroughly cleaned and safety checked,” says CEO of Melbourne-based charity St Kilda Mums Jessica Macpherson OAM.
“Thanks to the generosity of the community, we were able to help over 18,000 babies and children across Victoria in the past year. All the while saving valuable items from ending up in landfill.”
Cheat sheet for baby goods donations
1. Do I need to wash my items before I donate them?
Yes please! Go here to see why
2. What items DON’T you accept?
Whilst each organisation has its own manifesto, go here to find out the essentials
3. Where are drop off points?
They are volunteer homes all over the country – contact your local organisation they will introduce you
4. Do you pick up?
Yes – there is a usually courier service if you have too much to fit in your car
5. Quick tips/checklist on donation etiquette?
Visit this page to learn the ropes
6. What are the most needed items?
Car seats and cots
United by their belief that every baby and child has the right to equipment and clothing that will keep them safe and comfortable, each organisation is run by locals for locals.
St Kilda Mums’ Jessica Macpherson said “We believe that it is up to us to make the world a kinder place. In a world where what we buy becomes ever-disposable, we hope we can help families to think carefully about what they buy for their children and encourage them to share pre-loved items with their networks and charities like ours.”
Here’s the full list of “Sister” Charities to find one near you:
Roundabout Canberra – ACT
The Nappy Collective – National
We Care Uniting – NSW
Mummies paying it Forward – NSW
Dandelion Support Network – NSW
Baby Give Back – Qld
Treasure Boxes – SA
Tassie Mums – TAS
Big Group Hug – VIC
Sunshine Bendigo – VIC
St Kilda Mums (Including Geelong Mums and Eureka Mums) – VIC
Olivia’s Place Warragul – VIC
Caroline Chisholm – VIC
Mums Supporting Families in Need – VIC
3081 Angels – VIC
Little Things for Tiny Tots – WA
