#lovelocal Spotlight: Step By Step
Step By Step is a nonprofit organization that helps low income and at-risk pregnant women and mothers, who are facing serious barriers to having a healthy pregnancy including poverty, homelessness, domestic violence, and addictions. Step by Step is continuing to do their best to serve and support these women in our community, and they are preparing and working to adapt to the growing concerns and needs relating to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As an "essential business" in the Healthcare and Public Health Sector, they are remaining open and available to provide critical support to many of the women and families most affected.
For some of their moms, this time has been very hard. Some are home alone with newborns and are struggling during this time with stress, anxiety, postpartum depression, and isolation. Some have limited access to transportation, others are struggling to afford and provide (or find!) vital items and supplies for their babies.
Recently, Step by Step showed up at a local shelter to do a doorstep delivery for one of their moms who is battling homelessness with her family. Because of the community’s support, they were able to deliver a few diapers and some other vital baby needs, along with a lovely baby activity playmate! Within minutes after we left, mom sent them a thank you and a photo of her happy baby enjoying the thoughtful gift. She and her husband both have jobs and have been working hard to climb out of poverty and homelessness. Their situation is tough with everything going on, but they have not lost hope. Your support is helping this mom and hundreds of others across Pierce, King, and Snohomish county to know they are not alone and that we will get through this - together.
Small acts of kindness make a difference every day, but right now they are critical. Step by Step is using donations to put together critical care packages to be delivered on doorsteps, to support and encourage Step by Step families in need during this time.
We're delivering hope - together.
Merit has donated to this organization and we are asking you to please join us and do the same. Your donations stand in the gap for these moms, encouraging them to hang in there, and reminding them they can do it, and that they are not alone.
WAYS YOU CAN HELP:
Donate essential items. Their greatest needs are for:
• Gift Cards to Wal-Mart, Winco, Safeway, Albertsons, or Fred Meyer
• Diapers (mostly newborn & size 1, but we take all sizes)
• Toilet Paper
• Hand Soap
• Vital Baby Needs (formula, baby thermometers, etc.)
DONATE:
Donate towards this need, here or on their website: https://www.stepbystepfamily.org/donate
PURCHASE & DROP OFF AT OUR MAIN OFFICE IN PUYALLUP:
If you are out shopping for your family and you see these items, please consider buying (one or two… don’t buy out the store!) of these items for Step by Step, too. For instructions on how and when you can safely and sanitarily pick up and drop off items, contact Louanne at louanne@stepbystepfamily.org
WRITE NOTES OF ENCOURAGEMENT:
Many of our moms are home alone and struggling with depression, being alone with a new baby, or coping with postpartum depression. If you would like to write or share a note of encouragement, please contact Annmarie at annmariemathews@stepbystepfamily.org