Now, in addition to picking up their child from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Head Start/Early Head Start Discovery Center for Little Scholars, parents can also receive a bag filled with such things as diapers, toiletries and cereal.
“I wanted to begin a staff service project this year that everyone could participate in,” said Heidi Eichenseer, Discovery Center coordinator. “We have always talked about hygiene with our families, but I wanted to take it one step further. We agreed that providing the materials for hygiene is beneficial.”
On the first day of classes, Tuesday, Sept. 3, Discovery Center began handing out the “Happy to Help Bags.”
“We will continue to do so indefinitely,” said Eichenseer. “We have parents in need of supportive services. Some families need of diapers, wipes and other things. When my children were infants, I remember needing a couple diapers to get through the night.” Eichenseer is the mother of two children, ages 5 and 9.
Families in need can alert staff during hours of operation, or receive one when they fill out an enrollment application. Families are not limited to as many bags that they can take. Each bag offers variety.
Some other giveaway items include:
- An inspirational quote
- Bottles
- Wipes
- Baby food
- Lip gloss
- Bottled water
- Lotion
- Waterless bathing wipes
- Dried shampoo
The donations are made possible Head Start staff, Discovery Center parents and community members.
Photo:
Staff from SIUE’s Discovery Center Little Scholars Head Start/Early Head Start are giving away an assortment of hygiene products and personal items to families in need. Front row (L-R): are Celestine Stephens, Head Start staff, and Heidi Eichenseer, Discovery Center coordinator. Back row (L-R): Head Start staff Benny Lewis, Curtricia Hudson, Shenette Hubert and Ora Lockett.