Janie Busbee
The big holiday season often deemed the ‘big 3,’ i.e.: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years brings out the altruism in people everywhere. Unlike other time periods of the year, generosity can readily flow. Unfortunately, the need for goods and services stretch beyond the holidays, especially for infants and families in need.
Mother To Mother, Inc., Middle Tennessee’s non-profit organization dedicated to providing Tennessee families in need with essential equipment, clothing and products for their infants and young children, founded by Janie Busbee, is expanding its supply center chain into Clarksville this month. Currently, the non-profit has six supply centers in Middle Tennessee. To date, Mother To Mother has served over 43,000 children. Over 2.1 million items have been distributed since the organization’s inception.
Founder Janie Busbee said: “As a mother, I truly understand the taxing monetary needs that need to be met in raising children. I started Mother to Mother to help provide for those in our community that could use a little extra help. Reading the paper and seeing the stories, I knew I needed to help generate a means to an end for these families.”
The non profit 501©3 organization works daily with support partners like Nashville General Hospital at Meharry; Mercy Ministries; Monroe Carell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt; and Catholic Charities of Nashville.
Tennessee is ranked 45th in the nation for infant mortality. Additionally, none of the government’s ‘safety net’ programs provide diapers; therefore, those in need are left with little to no resources to secure these essentials. Busbee’s mission is to deliver and collect these essentials on a daily basis. Organizations and individuals can do their part by holding ‘diaper drives,’ baby showers, become a sponsor, or by monetary donations. By the numbers, Mother To Mother has provided an estimated 1.2 million diapers, 1,255 cribs/Pack N Plays, over 1400 car seats, and well over 342,000 pieces of clothing.
2016 is shaping up to be a banner year for the non-profit as it continues its growth throughout the state.
Without the help of the partners and corporations providing goods and services, along with regular donations of clothes and other items from children, churches, other organizations and more—none of this would be possible. One Mother too Mother praise report noted that a $10,000 discretionary grant from the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee has authorized a discretionary grant to further help the organization serve their purpose.
They seek to provide a safe sleeping environment for low income, vulnerable infants in Nashville and surrounding areas.
Eligibility for this program; volunteerism; or other information may be found via their website at www.mothertomotherinc.org.
