Stainman Fountain Birthday Program

What was your most memorable birthday? Was it full of family, friends and cake? Do you remember playing games like Pin the Tail on the Donkey, or getting your face painted? And let’s not forget waiting to leave to see what was in your party bag.
Unfortunately, many children will never have these memories. Buying a cake isn’t an option for many families who don’t have enough money for dinner. Even purchasing icing or candles isn’t realistic for many of the families who visit our emergency food-pantry.
No matter what their parents circumstances are, we want all of our children to have worry-free, happy birthdays. The Stainman Fountain Birthday Boxes contain cake mix, icing, candles, balloons, and toys. All of our children receive one box when a member of their household visits us during their birth month. Some of our donated birthday boxes even contain surprises. See a note from one of our families below:
 
Dear Bed-Stuy:
Last month I came to the pantry for the sixth time this year. As the intake counselor confirmed my information she noticed that my daughter was turning ten in a couple days. She gave me a box no bigger than a shoe box with festive wrapping paper. She told me that it was a birthday party in a box for my daughter. Having been searching for work for six months, I knew that I couldn’t afford to do much for her. I thought this was a very nice gesture, but I was still very depressed. That Saturday, I baked my daughter a beautiful cake and invited two of her friends over.
The following Monday I got a call for an interview. I accepted but I knew that I didn’t have any money to actually get there. I knew that I would have to walk from Bed-Stuy to midtown and back again. I went to my bedroom and cried. A few minutes later my daughter came to me with two crisp twenty dollar bills and said that I could have one. When I asked her where she got $40 from, she said that it was in the card that was in her birthday box. My daughter gave me the best gift of all on HER birthday.
THANK YOU Bed-Stuy Campaign Against Hunger. Thank you for being there for us these six months while I looked for work and thank you for that amazing birthday box that you gave my daughter. That birthday box made such a difference in our lives.
 
Stainman Fountain Birthday Boxes are a great community service project for individuals or groups of any size. If you would like to participate in this program or to make birthday boxes please contact Shaunte Whittaker at intake@bedstuyagainsthunger.org