This is one way Central Missouri Community Action helps young families with infants

Charles Dunlap, Columbia Daily Tribune
·2 min read
Kawhi and Yolanda Smith play bingo Thursday during Central Missouri Community Action's Bingo for Babies fundraiser at a space in the Arcade District adjacent to Irene's Bbq and Witches and Wizards Arcade.
Kawhi and Yolanda Smith play bingo Thursday during Central Missouri Community Action's Bingo for Babies fundraiser at a space in the Arcade District adjacent to Irene's Bbq and Witches and Wizards Arcade.

Numbers were flying and people were cheering Thursday as they filled out bingo cards in support of Central Missouri Community Action's Women and Infant Relief Fund.

"All the money raised here goes to newly delivered families and babies who are living in poverty or in crisis," said Jackie Rivera, CMCA Head Start Health Administrator. "Some of the funds go to monthly virtual baby showers, where moms and dads learn about anything from breastfeeding, tummy time and post-partum care."

The evening featured bounce houses, face painting, six games of bingo with multiple prizes and other games in which children and families could win.

Central Missouri Community Action Headstart Health Administrator Jackie Rivera calls bingo Thursday at the Bingo for Babies fundraiser at a space in the Arcade District of Columbia.
Central Missouri Community Action Headstart Health Administrator Jackie Rivera calls bingo Thursday at the Bingo for Babies fundraiser at a space in the Arcade District of Columbia.

The fund also helps provide disposable diapers and baby wipes in emergency situations where a young family may run out and cannot afford more.

"It's a fact that when parents don't have the necessary supplies they have a higher chance of (inadvertent) child abuse," Rivera said.

For parents that seek to purchase cloth diapers, CMCA provides aid and education on their use, she added, while noting a catch-22. Not all low-income parents have readily available access to a washing machine except at laundromats, so using cloth over disposable can present risks without easier access to washing and sanitizing, she said.

Jackie Newton also known as Sparkie the Clown paints a snake Thursday on the arm of Evan Heuer during the Central Missouri Community Action Bingo for Babies fundraiser in a space at the Arcade District between College Avenue and Fay Street.
Jackie Newton also known as Sparkie the Clown paints a snake Thursday on the arm of Evan Heuer during the Central Missouri Community Action Bingo for Babies fundraiser in a space at the Arcade District between College Avenue and Fay Street.

"When parents attend the showers, they can fill out a wish list and we can supply safety items, such as car seats and we have helped with grandparents raising their grandchildren," Rivera said.

The Women and Infants Relief Fund was established to cover gaps in care from federal funding, she added. The National Diaper Bank Network notes children in low-income families are at the most significant risk of suffering the effects of diaper needs.

Families with infants can go through 12 diapers per day at an average cost of $100 per month, a CMCA news release noted. Safety net programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Women, Infants, and Children program cannot use these benefits to purchase diapers, the release read.

Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.

This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Bingo for Babies event supports regional low-income families