An Okotoks group is helping families in need with their newborns.

It Takes A Village Community Foundation gives baby boxes to those in need that come stocked with diapers, wipes, clothes and blankets.

The boxes do more than contain baby products, they also act as a bassinet and have a padded insert in the bottom that acts as a mattress.

Rachel Swendseid, president of It Takes A Village, says the boxes have been approved as safe to use.

"These boxes are safe, they're tested, they're certified," she says. "They're approved by Health Canada for safe infant sleep. The boxes are out of an outfit down in California and they've been using these for a long time and they were inspired by the Finnish tradition of giving baby boxes to each family in Finland regardless of socio-economic status."

Swendseid says there is criteria that needs to be met for a family to receive a baby box.

"You have to live in the Foothills and you have to be facing some type of hardship that makes it difficult to obtain baby items. The families that are coming to us are families that have lost their jobs, women fleeing domestic violence, new immigrants, high risk mothers. Basically if you're not able to get baby items, we are here for you."

The Baby Box campaign is receiving funding from the Sheep River Health Trust's Together We Make a Difference Radiothon on Apr. 21.

To learn how to get a baby box and how to donate to It Takes A Village click here.

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