Teenage pregnancy, babies born out of wedlock, and children born to low-income families is more the reality than not these days. This is no different for the residents of Spencer County. This year the Spencer County Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H/Youth Development, and Agriculture agents, in conjunction with the Family Resource & Youth Service Centers, planned the Spencer County Community Baby Shower. The Family and Consumer Science agent was assisted with handing out nutrition information packets for the event.  

This program focuses on soon to be parents or those that have a child up to 12 months, and mothers and fathers from low-income families and allows them to visit booths of people and organizations that provide key information in raising children, which are education on birth, pediatrics, breastfeeding, basic nutrition, insurance, preschool and much more. A total of 43 people attended this drive thru program   

Since this program was held for the second time during the COVID pandemic, it was again held in the Extension Office’s parking lot where social distancing, masks, and hand sanitizer were all set in place. The Extension Office had a booth handing out nutrition information, healthy recipes, SNAP education products, and answered questions on nurturing families and life skills. Each family drove around to each station where they received multiple items to help care for a baby, such as car seats, diapers, clothing, and monitors worth over $3,350.  

Due to this program, youth and adults have been educated on basic nutrition and healthy choices for babies. They can use this information to care for their growing babies and families properly, as well as teach others to do the same.