Share Our Spare

Share Our Spare is a US nonprofit organization dedicated to providing essential items and support to families with young children, particularly those living in poverty in the Chicago area. The organization focuses on ensuring that every child from newborn to age five has access to the necessary resources for a healthy and safe start in life.

Mission

Share Our Spare's mission is to empower families by providing essential items such as diapers, wipes, and baby supplies, which are often unaffordable for low-income families. They aim to mitigate the stress of financial hardship and help families shift from crisis management to caregiving with dignity, contributing to a more resilient and equitable community.

History

The organization was founded after a group of women responded to a mother's need for emergency supplies, resulting in hundreds of donations. This prompted the establishment of Share Our Spare to address similar needs systemically. The organization received nonprofit status in 2012 and has since grown significantly, moving into a larger facility to accommodate demand. By 2021, they had relocated to a 10,000+ sq. ft. Sharehouse to better serve the community.

Operations

Share Our Spare operates through a model that involves collecting new and gently used baby essentials, which are then distributed to families through a network of nonprofit partners and community agencies. These items include clothing, high chairs, strollers, and critical supplies like diapers and wipes. The organization also acts as a community hub where partner agencies can access resources, including educational opportunities and volunteer spaces.

Impact

Since its inception, Share Our Spare has helped over 50,000 unique children and their families across the Chicago metropolitan area. They address the specific challenge of diaper need, which is a significant stressor for families, often forcing difficult choices between basic necessities. The organization serves multiple counties, including Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, McLean, Will, and Winnebago.

Challenges and Goals

One of the significant challenges faced by the organization is the financial strain on low-income families, exacerbated by the fact that diapers are taxed as luxury items and receive no federal assistance. Share Our Spare works to alleviate these pressures by ensuring consistent access to essential items while advocating for systemic change to address generational poverty. Their ultimate goal is to create a future where every child has the essentials needed to succeed and thrive.

Values

Share Our Spare is guided by core values that emphasize a comprehensive child-first approach, intentional collaboration with community partners, actionable steps to combat inequities, and sustainability through the recirculation of essential items. These values underpin their mission to ensure dignity and crisis mitigation for families.

Notable Initiatives

The organization has launched various initiatives, such as the "Summer Diaper Challenge" and the "Diaper Brackets for Good" challenge, aimed at collecting large quantities of diapers to meet the urgent needs of families. These efforts highlight their commitment to both immediate and long-term support for those in need.

EIN

The organization's Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 452773364.