It is once again the time of year for the citywide effort to help homeless mothers and their babies in time for Mother’s Day, led by HomeAid Atlanta. The organization’s 17th Annual Essentials Drive begins with its kickoff on April 30 and will continue through May 8 in honor of Mother’s Day.

The Essentials Drive is a citywide effort to collect “essentials,” which include diapers, baby wipes, baby food, formula and more for homeless moms, infants and toddlers. The reality of many homeless Metro Atlanta moms and children is an uncertain one, and there are as many as 7,500 citizens who go without a safe place to sleep, without basic necessities like groceries or even the certainty of where their next meal is coming from. Fifty percent of these homeless citizens are women and children.

HomeAid Atlanta launched the Essentials Drive in 2002 to offer relief to this vulnerable population. With the help of the community, local businesses, organizations and individuals, the Essentials Drive has collected more than one million essential baby items since 2002, assisting countless babies and moms.

Just before Mother’s Day, Atlanta-based UPS will partner with HomeAid Atlanta for the twelfth year delivering the donated items.  All donations go to local nonprofit organizations that provide housing and supportive services to homeless infants, toddlers and their families.  Several of these organizations operate in HomeAid Atlanta-built facilities.

Here is how the community of Atlanta can help:

• Donate new diapers, wipes, baby formula, or baby food to the Essentials Drive. Visit www.HomeAidAtlanta.org for a map of over 60 Atlanta-area drop off locations.
• Shop for donations online via HomeAid’s Target and Amazon baby registries. Type “HomeAid” for registrant’s first name and “Atlanta” for the last name. Shipping charges may apply.
• Financial contributions to purchase baby items are accepted via www.HomeAidAtlanta.org, (click DONATE).

This year, donations will go directly to the following organizations and the families they serve: Action Ministries, Atlanta Children’s Shelter, Atlanta Dream Center, Atlanta Mission, CAPN, City of Refuge, Decatur Cooperative Ministry, The Drake House, Family Promise of Hall County, HavenATL, Helping Mamas, HomeStretch, House of Dawn, Nicholas House, Our House, Phoenix Pass, Rainbow Village, Salvation Army- Red Shield Services, Sheltering Arms, Solomon’s Temple and United Methodist Children’s Home.

All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. To learn more, visit www.HomeAidAtlanta.org or contact HomeAid Atlanta at 678-775-1401 or Info@HomeAidAtlanta.org.