FLOURISH’s Community Leaders Cabinet (CLC) had planned to hold resource fairs this May and June to connect Black families living in the 63106 and 63136 zip codes with helpful supplies and resources for a healthy pregnancy and family. When COVID-19 hit, they adapted their plans.
“When it became clear events would not be possible, the CLC was adamant that we still find a way to provide support to families – many of whom were facing added challenges because of COVID-19,” said Lora Gulley, director of community mobilization and advocacy at Generate Health, FLOURISH’s backbone organization. “Through virtual meetings, they converted their resource fairs to a care package delivery model for pregnant and postpartum families.”
The CLC broke into three teams to manage the project. A Resource Team identified baby supplies, personal hygiene items and healthy foods families would need, as well as helpful resources, such as mental health services, stress-free parent-child activities and safe sleep education. The Collaboration Team identified partner organizations who could assist with package distribution, and the Service Partner Team identified partners who could connect us to Black moms in need.
On June 1, a group of CLC members joined Generate Health staff and board members to assemble 100 care packages – all while safely following social distancing and other precautions. Each package included:
- $20 bag of fresh produce from St. Louis Metro Market, as well as veggie/fruit cleanser for families who may lack running water.
- $20 Walmart gift cards to buy additional supplies.
- Essential items, including diapers, wipes, soap, feminine care products, toothbrushes and toothpaste.
- Educational materials and resources.
“This work is so important to me because of my own personal experiences with childbirth and being a Black mother,” said Shavanna Spratt, a CLC member who helped lead this project. “I let my life experiences and feelings during those times guide my community work. If I can save a Black woman from going through things I have experienced, I will continue to speak out and put in the work, even when its uncomfortable for me. When creating the care packages, we wanted to provide moms with things that can be nourishing to not only their bodies, but also their minds and spirit. I hope the care packages ease these moms’ journey in motherhood in some way.”
Special thank you to our partners who supported this effort: Nine Network, WEDO STLNOCO, Wellness Choice, LLC, SSM Health, Affinia Healthcare, Nurses for Newborns, YWCA Head Start, BJC Raising STL, and Greater Grace Church.
