Headquartered in DC, the social network of moms spans all 50 states with the help of Lindsay’s specialization in social media, strategic communications, fundraising, and the natural inclination for moms to help other moms in need. Unfortunately, children are expensive and not everyone is in the same position to provide for their children. We may all be in the same storm of “motherhood” but not the same boat. We all weather this journey with different access to support, and The Napkin Network believes it is important to collectively help so no baby has to suffer, and no mom has to choose between a meal or a clean diaper.
In less than three years, the organization has hosted hundreds of events promoting the well-being of moms in their communities. Every event has a dual purpose: to bring moms together, and to collect unused baby items and repurpose them back into the community. The Napkin Network partners with underfunded, but well-established non-profit organizations already rooted deep in the community and donates all items to those groups. The Napkin Network plays on their strength of bringing moms together and effectively acts as a middleman, identifying the needs and gaps, and collecting those items where needed.
During the height of the formula shortage crisis that impacted Moms around the country, The Napkin Network organized large scale formula drives that garnered the attention of the national media and was highlighted on MSNBC, The Washington Post, and BBC News. Mrs. Gill has been invited to roundtable discussions with senators and members of congress, has been interviewed by various new sources on the highs and lows of the motherhood journey, and continues to build ongoing partnerships with businesses and people who support not only the need to mission to help mothers, but the desire to make the motherhood journey less isolated.
In their first two years, The Napkin Network donated over 100,000 diapers, 500,000 wipes, thousands of cans of formula, and countless other baby essentials such as diaper rash creams, new clothing, strollers and car seats. Currently, The Napkin Network has eight drop off locations around the Washington, D. C area and is all volunteer-run by moms. All the donated items are stored as needed but donated as quickly as possible to ensure items are used in real time for real life needs. The Napkin Network strives to increase funding so they can assist moms who are not local to the Washington. D.C area and desires a pantry or open storage area where moms can come and pick up items on a monthly basis as needed. In the end, the goal of The Napkin Network is to bring moms together to create a social, and impactful, community that makes life a little easier.
