Local Mom Teams Up With Town Of Oyster Bay For Baby Formula Drive

OYSTER BAY, NY — As the country continues to grapple with a baby formula shortage, the Town of Oyster Bay is teaming up with a resident to hold a collection drive and giveaway.

The Baby Formula Collection Drive and Giveaway, as it's called, is planned for Sunday, June 12, at Fireman's Field from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents are encouraged to donate unexpired, unused formula for families who are struggling to find products they need to feed their babies.

"The nationwide baby formula shortage is causing a crisis for many families throughout Long Island," said Town Councilman Steve Labriola. "We all know that once little ones move onto food, families are often left with extra formula in their pantries. We ask that you open your hearts and cupboards by donating unexpired, unused formula for families facing shortages and empty store shelves."

At the start of the pandemic, Massapequa resident Carmela Shimansky launched a Facebook page, called One Parent to Another, to help parents in need of baby formula and other childcare necessities. Working with neighbors and friends in the community, Shimansky connected with local moms who had items they no longer needed and asked them to pay it forward by donating them to others.

"The goal here is really to help those families who can't get to the stores, who can't go from place to place trying to find what they need," Shimansky said. "We hope to reach as many people as possible so that they can provide for their families."

At the donation drive on Sunday, Town officials will also be distributing baby formula they collected at past drives. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.

"We're proud to partner with local moms to collect unopened baby formula and safely distribute it to local families who can't find these important products on the shelves at local stores," Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino said. "While the nationwide shortage has been dreadful for families of newborns, we're very fortunate to have goodhearted community volunteers who stepped up to make a positive difference in the community."

For more information on this and other upcoming events helping local families, visit the One Parent to Another Facebook page or www.oysterbaytown.com.