Commodities

Use these resources to search for any commodity:

Freecycle

Check out free recycled commodities on the Freecycle Baltimore website

• Search for the commodity you want in the search box

• Work with your client to arrange a time to pick up the item

Facebook Marketplace

Check out discounted or free commodities on Facebook marketplace

• Search for the commodity your client is interested in

• Work with your client to arrange a time to pick up the item

Mercari

Check out discounted commodities on the Mercari website

• Search for the commodity your client is interested in

• Most items can be shipped to your client

Baby Supplies and Clothing

Steps:

1) Determine what resources the client is looking for (ex. food, clothing, baby supplies)

2) Find the ideal resource for the client from below based on their needs and proximity to their address

3) Call the resource to make sure the listed services are available and to make an appointment if necessary.

Center for Pregnancy Concerns CPC

Website: https://cpcforhelp.org/about/ 

All Locations can be reached by calling 443-884-9201

Locations:

Resource Centers: Offer material resources such as diapers, wipes, and formula; also offer free online parenting classes 

Mars Hill Baptist Church Center - 1400 Old Eastern Ave, Essex, MD 21221

St. Ann's Catholic Church Center -  528 E. 22nd Street, Baltimore, MD, 21218

Medical Services Facility: Options@328 - Offers pregnancy tests, sonograms, access to resources & more 

Downtown Center, 328 N. Howard Street, Balitmore, MD 21201

**Curbside pickup for all locations

The Gabriel Network "Angel Friend"

Your client may be supported by a church in her area who has a trained "Angel Friend." This is a community based relationship support system. This program provides support for a client in two ways:

• Provide guidance while pregnant and after the birth of the baby

• Provide items for the baby and mother: Baby clothes, wipes, and diapers

• Sometimes also provide larger items: pack n' plays, strollers, infant car seats 

If a client would like an Angel Friend and has a permanent address, they must contact 1-800-ANGEL-OK themselves requesting an Angel Friend.

Help-line hours: Monday - Friday from 9am-5pm

Here is The Gabriel Network website for more information: http://gabrielnetwork.org/home

Additional Resources

The following places all offer different programs that can help low income families with any infant or newborn needs. The resources range from free disposable to cloth diapers, formula, and other baby supplies. Determine which places to call and determine what they have based on your client's address. 

*The agencies don't always have every resource but are changing weekly and monthly depending on the donations they have received*

Pregnancy Center West

Address: 5411 Old Frederick Road, Baltimore, MD 21229

Number: Call 410-788-4433 or Text 443-475-0171 to make an appointment. No more walk-ins

Services Offered: Counseling and pregnancy testing (including kids) are available. Some parents may be given free baby stuff too. This may be clothing, nappies, formula, diapers, and other supplies.

Agape House

Address: 1501 North Dukeland Street, Baltimore, MD 21216

Number: 410-566-5007

Services Offered: This resources offers everything from temporary housing to food and community meals. Monthly baby supply programs are offered a couple days per week, with furniture, clothing for newborns, and free birthday toys.

New Life Evangelical Baptist

Address: 2417 East North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21213

Number: 410-675-2178

Services Offered: This is a food pantry that also offers free diapers in sizes 1-6 as well as advanced formula. The applying parent needs to have a child under 18 months

Baltimore Pregnancy Center

Address: 7311 Hartford Road, Baltimore, MD 21234

Number: 410-426-9992

Services Offered: Many free items may be available including the following: bassinets, car seats, strollers, furniture, beds, formula, diapers and wipes. 

Beds and Furniture

Steps:

1) Determine what specifically the client is looking to obtain (ex. furniture, clothing, beds, and etc).

2) Call the resource and see if they have have the given item available. Make sure to ask if this item may be picked up for a reduced price (voucher) or for free. 

Centers work based on donations, so they may not have a constant supply of the desired furniture. Explore your options, and consider searching for the furniture item on Amazon and applying a "lowest price to highest price" filter. 

Lutheran Mission Society of Maryland

Website: Lutheran Mission Society of Maryland

Location: 438 Eastern Boulevard

Essex MD, 21221

Contact: Call 877-737-8567 to get the contact number of the department closest to your client's address. 

Clothing, housewares, furniture, small appliances, and books may be passed out. Or anything else that was donated. They also help students from low income households. The charity passes out free school, school supplies including bags or backpacks, uniforms, and other items for students in Kindergarten to high school.

The Salvation Army 

Info: Call store to see what items are currently available for your client's needs. Many household items such as beds, furniture and kitchen supplies are donated seasonally. Other items such as toys and clothing for women, men and children are often available.

Website: The Salvation Army

Locations: The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center 

Address 1: 3401 Roland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211

Contact 1: (443) 873-7941 Email: noreply@salvationarmy.org

Address 2: 814 Light St.

Contact 2: (800) 728-7825

Address 3: 8715 Liberty Road, Randallstown, MD 21133

Contact 3: (410) 655-9399 Email: noreply@salvationarmy.org

Car Seats

Steps:

1) Determine when client is expecting her baby

Make sure to start this process at least a couple months, not a couple weeks, before the client is due because it will take time for them to obtain the car seat

2) Have your client fill out the Caregiver Agreement Form. It can be found: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdjRNNTyx91jqu4530qk2XPuAKUrsNka6lMaJekOuJ7xBOZgg/viewform The form will be reviewed, and applicants will be contacted with additional information if a program is available in their area. If more than one child needs a car seat, complete one form per child.

OR

3) CALL 800-370-SEAT (800-370-7328) and leave a message about information on discounted rates or events with free car seats, or visit their website. If you call by 3pm then the number will return your call the same business day, or the next business day after 3pm via 443-842-0508. This contact number will refer the client, based off of their personal information (residency, income, and etc.), to a program that best fits their needs. This specific number does not directly supply the car seats. You can also email mdh.kiss@maryland.gov for information.   

4) Call the program your client was referred and follow the steps the provider gives you in order to obtain the car seat.

5) Determine if the client is interested in participating in the Video Car Seat Assistance, Traveling Safely With Your New Baby "live" webinar, or Child Passenger Safety Building Blocks "live" webinar

6) To sign up for the Video Car Seat Assistance, you must first fill out the information form on the client's behalf in this link and then sign up for a time that works best for them in this link. To sign up for Traveling Safely With Your New Baby "live" webinar, you must fill out the form and select the time that works best for the client in this link. If no times work for the client email mdh.kiss@maryland.gov 

The program KISS (Kids In Safety Seating) offers car seats at discounted rates. 

Crib Referral Process: 

Step 1) Find out if the client is in need of a crib for their baby/currently pregnant. 

Step 2) Determine eligibility: 

Ask your client these questions to check whether they meet eligibility...

  1.  “Where is the baby currently sleeping?”  OR  “Where do you plan for the baby to sleep?” 

  2.  “Do you have a bassinet, pack-and-play, or another type of crib?” 

  3.  “Are you able to purchase a crib or obtain a crib from a friend or family member?” 

  4.  “Do you currently live in Baltimore City?”

Eligible Women: are at least 36 weeks pregnant. If she has already delivered, the infant must be less than 8 months old or under 25 pounds. 

    *For additional info refer to crib program pdf (posted below)

Step 3) Contact HCAM's Care Coordination Program (CCP) @ 410-649-0500. 

Checkout website: https://www.healthybabiesbaltimore.com/safe-sleep

     -Call on client's behalf, if no one answers, leave a message, you can also give the client the contact info so they can call if they want

    -Explain to the client that you are contacting the crib program, and if they determine them eligible, then the coordinator will need to schedule a time to deliver it to their home

-Email completed HCAM referrals to: safesleepcrib@hcamaryland.org  , or clients can complete the referral form here: https://redcap.baltimorehealth.info/surveys/?s=TY3RXTLMT3 

****Important DO NOT guarantee the crib to a client! Just because they may meet eligibility does not mean they will get one, be hopeful but DO NOT make promises to a client!!!***

IF YOUR CLIENT LIVES OUTSIDE OF BALTIMORE CITY OR IS UNSUCCESSFUL WITH HCAM, use:

https://cribsforkids.org/our-partners/

This website has a partner locater that can connect you to partners closer to your client. Call the partnered organization and ask about their eligibility requirements and referral process.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  If the mom tells you that she plans to have the baby sleep in the bed with her YOU SHOULD DISCUSS SAFE SLEEP... Say the following:  “As I mentioned, I am going to make a referral to HCAM and hopefully we can get you a crib, but have you heard of the ABCD's of safe sleep? The best way ensure infant safety is to place them Alone, on their Back, in a Crib, and Don't smoke. In the meantime you can put a blanket in a dresser drawer or a laundry basket and place this on the floor for the baby to sleep in. 

    -> Give them the Safe Sleep Flyer (posted below)

Toys for Tots 

What is it? Collects and distributes new toys as Christmas gifts to children in need in the Baltimore community, for ages up to 14, contact local support to check if they will accommodate ages 14-16

OPENS in early/mid-October each year 

Website: https://baltimore-md.toysfortots.org/local-coordinator-sites/lco-sites/request-toys.aspx

Contact: Toys for Tots Coordinators 2024 

              Local Campaign Coordinator: GySgt Isac Quiroz

              Email: baltimore.md@toysfortots.org

Phone: 443-648-3808

Toys for Tots Coordinator: Gunnery Sergeant Isac Quiroz; 443-300-6010

Toys for Tots Assistant Coordinator: Corporal Trevon Holiday

Toys for Tots Public Liaison: Rep Lillian Hunt

How to apply:

STEP 1) Refer client to the website link above to fill out a Family Toy Request Form or you can fill it out on their behalf with THEIR EMAIL

NOTE: THEY ONLY ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR FAMILIES WHO RESIDE WITHIN THE LIMITS OF BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, HOWARD COUNTY, AND CARROLL COUNTY 

Note: If you are individually requesting toys for your children you MUST include the following items in the Additional Comments block:  

First and Last Name (Age/Sex).

Example: John Smith (4/Male)

STEP 2) Select your state, City or County search options will appear

STEP 3) Select the city or county nearest your location, contact by phone, FAX, email (Recommend you use email. Click the hypertext email address. An email form will appear)

STEP 4) Fill out the form by providing your name, phone number and address. Provide the ages and gender of your children and request that Christmas toys be provided for them, the Coordinator will contact you.

Application Opens October 15, 2024

Applicants will hear back in the month of November

***Toys will be distributed based upon the availability of toys***

Other Toy Options: 

https://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/baltimore_holiday_and_christma.html

https://lowincomerelief.com/free-christmas-gifts-baltimore-md/