KidVantage

Congregation Liaison: Outreach and Servant Ministries Committee 

Eastside Baby Corner is now KidVantage

KidVantage was founded as Eastside Baby Corner (EBC) in 1990 because Karen Ridlon, a local pediatric nurse practitioner, became concerned about the large numbers of babies in her practice that began life without adequate food, clothing, beds or safety equipment. Her commitment to giving these children a stronger start grew from a idea and a few items gathered in her dining room, into an agency that in 2016 filled its 500,000th order of absolute essentials.

For 50 weeks each year, volunteers and staff at KidVantage collect community donations, purchase and distribute children’s and maternity items to families in collaboration with organizations helping families in our area. Case managers from partner agencies assess the needs of the family, request the items from KidVantage, pick up and deliver them to the family. Serving a broad area across King County that extends to the Cascade foothills and from south of Renton into south Snohomish County, KidVantageserves as a diaper bank, a clothing bank, and a food source for more than 800 kids each week. KidVantagepractices good stewardship of resources through smart purchasing in bulk, reliance on volunteers and in-kind donations. KidVantageis the major source of baby food, formula, diapers, cribs and car seats for eleven local food banks. In total, KidVantage works with over 50 area agencies to assist people in need.

Saint Andrew’s supports KidVantage with budgeted funds, volunteer events, and though gifts at Christmas (Love Tree).

Current Opportunities:

Monetary donations are always welcome. Make check payable to “Saint Andrew’s” and note “KidVantage” in the memo line.

Volunteer at KidVantage – December 2, 2023

“Christmas in July” Collection Drive – July 2023

THANK YOU for supporting KidVantage and Lantern Hill with generous donations during our “Christmas in July” collection drive!

Last year during the holidays, KidVantage really struggled getting enough toys and clothes to meet the demand and see that the kids they support had something special for Christmas.  They had requests for over 2500 holiday bags for kids 0-12 years old.  Requests for holiday bags more than double every year with a big influx of refugees coming from Somalia, Afghanistan and Venezuela.  Heading into summer and fall, their inventory levels of new games and toys is at an all-time low.  They use new toys to fill birthday bags as well as holiday bags.

How donations help kids through KidVantage:
They will help provide new toys for birthdays (and in preparation for Christmas). High demand items last Christmas for holiday bags were legos, pokemon, squishmallows, board/card games, barbies, craft kits and cars.

Donations of new and gently used children’s clothing and shoes help all year round.
– High demand clothing items during the winter season were winter coats, hats, gloves, umbrellas
– Current high demand items:
• Boy’s clothing: size 12-14 (especially long sleeves/jackets)
• Children’s pants sizes 2T-14 (especially size 5 girls and size 14 boys)
• Boys shoes sizes 3Y and 11&12C
• Children raincoats

KidVantage 9th Annual Diaper Derby ~ May 5 – June 9, 2023

Thank you to all who donated to the Diaper Derby!