First Quality and the Macon Bacon baseball team partner to strike out diaper need
Diaper manufacturer aims to increase community access to diapers through local and national partnerships
MACON, GA. (Sept. 24, 2024) —When you hear a baby cry over the loudspeaker at a Macon Bacon baseball game, it’s actually a good thing.
First, it means that an opposing player has just struck out. Go Bacon!
And even better, it means that First Quality® will donate a case of diapers to Mother’s Nest, a non-profit organization that helps mothers in need gain access to baby supplies across the Macon area and the Middle Georgia community.
“As a diaper manufacturer, we believe every child deserves access to high-quality diapers that keep them dry and comfortable,” said Douglas Parker, senior human resources business partner at First Quality’s Macon facility that produces diapers and other baby care products. “Through our Macon Bacon sponsorship and the partnership with Mother’s Nest, we can make a difference for families right here in Georgia.”
This year marked the first season of First Quality’s three-year Macon Bacon sponsorship. By the end of the season, 240 opposing batters had struck out during home games, meaning First Quality will donate 240 cases of diapers to Mother’s Nest – amounting to more than 24,000 individual diapers. In addition, First Quality has agreed to make an additional donation (above and beyond the 24,000-sponsorship amount) of over 246,000 diapers to Mother’s Nest.
“At Mother’s Nest, we strive to help mothers become the best versions of themselves so they can raise healthy babies,” said Sabrina Friday, executive director of Mother’s Nest. “The women we serve often don’t have the means to buy diapers after paying for rent, food and other necessities, so the diapers donated by First Quality will make a huge impact on alleviating that stress. This is a vast issue in our area, and we appreciate how the partnership with Macon Bacon is helping to raise awareness about this urgent need.”
Addressing a national problem
This week, September 23-29, is National Diaper Need Awareness Week: an annual moment to spotlight a pressing issue in many American households. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in two U.S. families struggles to provide enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry and healthy.
It’s an issue that’s front and center for First Quality as both a diaper manufacturer and a company that seeks to improve the quality of life of everyone who uses its products.
On a national level, First Quality has supported Cradles to Crayons for the past three years.
Working together to address diaper need, the two organizations have provided more than 20 million diapers and 10 million baby wipes to U.S. families. First Quality donates a portion of all sales of its CutiesÒ diapers to Cradles to Crayons – more than $2 million so far.
“Our mission at Cradles to Crayons is to end Clothing Insecurity, and diapers are a baby’s very first and most critical piece of clothing,” said Lynn Margherio, founder and CEO of Cradles to Crayons, which also provides more than one million packages of clothing, shoes, winter coats, and other essentials a year, free of charge, to families through community organizations. “Having an adequate supply of diapers is absolutely crucial for children and families to thrive during the most important developmental years.”
Invested in the Macon community
As First Quality invests in the Macon economy with a facility expansion that will boost diaper capacity by 50% and add an estimated 600 jobs, the company will also continue to invest in strong community partnerships.
“We’re thrilled to have First Quality and Mother’s Nest as community partners,” said Brandon Raphael, managing partner and president of the Macon Bacon. “Our fans love the fact that when they come to a game, not only are they going to enjoy some great baseball, but they will also be part of supporting babies across Middle Georgia. We’re excited to see First Quality growing in Macon and look forward to continuing to make an impact together.”
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About First Quality
The First Quality Group of companies is a closely held, diversified group of companies manufacturing, selling and distributing branded and private label absorbent hygiene, paper and packaging products into the healthcare, retail, and commercial channels. First Quality is dedicated to meeting the demands of the market by providing innovative and high-quality products manufactured utilizing state-of-the-art technology. For more information, please visit www.firstquality.com
First Quality is a registered trademark of First Quality Enterprises, LLC.
About the Macon Bacon
The Macon Bacon are a summer collegiate baseball team based in Macon, Georgia, playing in the Coastal Plain League. The team is dedicated to providing high-quality baseball entertainment and fostering young talent. For more information, visit www.maconbaconbaseball.com
About Mother’s Nest
Mother’s Nest is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Macon, Georgia, dedicated to providing training, support, and safe and effective baby supplies for underprivileged young women in the Middle Georgia area. By offering these resources, the organization aims to improve mothers’ and babies’ health and well-being. For more information, please visit https://mothersnestga.org/
About Cradles to Crayons
Cradles to Crayons® (C2C®) is leading the way to end Clothing Insecurity, with a belief that all children deserve the clothing essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. Founded in 2002, Cradles to Crayons provides children living in crisis, homeless, poverty, or low-income situations, with free clothing, diapers, and other items, so they can thrive at home, at school, and at play. C2C distributes 1M+ packages a year, with the support of volunteers in their Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia Giving Factory warehouses, as well as an online clothing donation platform, Giving Factory Direct®, allowing donors anywhere in the U.S. to ship clothing directly to specific children at any time. For more information, please visit www.cradlestocrayons.org.
Media Contact:
First Quality: media@firstquality.com