NCJW Gives Back: Let’s put a smile on every child

Did you know that toothpaste, toothbrushes and dental floss are some of the most coveted items at our local food pantries?  These 3 items disappear from their shelves almost as soon as they arrive.

For our January NCJW Gives Back Initiative, we are collecting funds to help put a smile on every child. We will purchase and deliver dental items at the beginning of February, which is National Children’s Dental Health Month. Our plan is to donate funds to two food pantries – the Northfield Township Food Pantry and Pilsen Food Pantry in the city.

Background: Because these products cannot be purchased with SNAP benefits, many under-served individuals and families are forced to make difficult decisions about how to stretch their limited resources. The lack of dental kits means that some children may face barriers that limit their ability to maintain consistent oral health.

According to recent studies, almost 50 percent of American children have at least one cavity by age 6. Nearly half (44 percent) of children in low-income homes brush less than the recommended amount of twice per day, while 73 percent of high-income children brush twice or more a day. Often, this can result in under-served children not learning good dental practices, resulting in expensive dental care now and later in life.

Please donate towards this initiative here. Choose NCJW Gives Back in the drop down menu. All funds raised go directly towards purchasing these dental hygiene items.