about us
Mamas Helping Mamas
Founded in the Fall of 2022 by Melissa Obuch and a group of like-minded mama friends, MamaBird began simply as a way to pay-it-forward to support the women and children of the Back Mountain. Our hope as a non-profit is to provide necessities such as diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene supplies to those in need. Providing these essentials is our way of investing in our community, because we truly believe that no mother should ever be unable to support their basic needs as well as their child's.
Photo L to R: Jennifer Gula, Carisa Spagnuolo, Samantha Abod, Stephanie Gover, Melissa Conforti, Melissa Obuch
" To make life a little better for those less fortunate than you. That's what I think the meaning of life is. One lives not just for oneself but for one's community."
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER
The late honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, " to make life a little better for those less fortunate than you. That's what I think the meaning of life is. One lives not just for oneself but for one's community." Those words are what have inspired me to find my greater purpose and create a medium for benevolence in my community.
Over the last fifteen years I have devoted myself to a life of service as a trauma - critical care nurse. My career has brought me a great deal of experience, fulfillment and perspective. However, the taxing nature of nursing required me to find an outlet to reignite my passion for caring for others and that's where my love for philanthropy was born.
Since becoming a mother of two wonderful boys, my focus has shifted from the bedside to community engagement. My experience as a mother and nurse have shone light on the paucity of resources available for what is considered to be some of the most vulnerable populations; mothers and children.
MamaBird was founded on one random act of kindness out of necessity for a local mother who had no where else to turn. That one act of kindness has flourished into a community sponsored organization which has supported nearly two-hundred families so that they can continue to thrive despite the circumstances they face.
Thank you for your continued support as we believe in the power of community and the importance of working together to achieve our goals. At MamaBird, we empower individuals and communities to create lasting change. Please take a moment to explore our website to learn more about our mission and how you can help.
Sincerely,
Melissa Obuch
DIAPER & PERIOD POVERTY
1 IN 2 PARENTS CANNOT AFFORD DIAPERS
1 IN 4 WOMEN CANNOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS
1 IN 2 PARENTS CANNOT AFFORD DIAPERS
Per the National Diaper Bank Program, 1 in 2 parents cannot afford diapers.
OUT OF POCKET COSTS
1 IN 4 WOMEN CANNOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS
1 IN 2 PARENTS CANNOT AFFORD DIAPERS
Essential items such as diapers, wipes and feminine hygiene products are not covered by WIC or SNAP programs.
1 IN 4 WOMEN CANNOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS
1 IN 4 WOMEN CANNOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS
1 IN 4 WOMEN CANNOT AFFORD PERIOD PRODUCTS
Per the Alliance For Period Supplies, 1 in 4 women cannot afford feminine hygiene products.
Ways to SUPPORT OUR MISSION
Diaper Need & Period Poverty Wishlist
Diaper Need & Period Poverty Wishlist
Diaper Need & Period Poverty Wishlist
Our Amazon Wishlist has the supplies needed to provide diapers & period supplies to local women, teens
& children.
Monetary Donations
Diaper Need & Period Poverty Wishlist
Diaper Need & Period Poverty Wishlist
MamaBird has a fund for monetary donations through The Luzerne Foundation. All donors receive receipts of donation for tax purposes.
Volunteer
Diaper Need & Period Poverty Wishlist
Volunteer
Looking for a way to support the women and children of the Back Mountain community?
Come join our flock!
Local Resources
PENNSYLVANIA 211 HELP LINE
DIAL 2-1-1
PA 211 NEPA / Help Line is the after-hours crisis service for fourteen different organizations serving Bradford, Luzerne, Sullivan and Wyoming Counties. With one phone number, callers gain free, confidential access to thousands of program and services that can help improve the quality of their lives – services ranging from aging to mental health, child abuse/neglect reports, drug and alcohol services, runaway help, energy assistance, homeless homelessness and victim services. In fact, every day,, highly trained 211 call specialists provide referrals to:
- Basic Human Needs Resources: food banks, shelters, rent and utility payment assistance
- Physical and Mental Health Resources: crisis intervention services, support groups, counseling
- Employment Support: financial assistance, job training, education programs
- Support for Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities: home-delivered meals, transportation, health care
- Youth and Child Care Programs: after school programs, summer camps, mentoring, protection services
- Regional Disaster Preparation
For more information click on the link below.
Food Banks & Pantries
BACK MOUNTAIN FOOD PANTRY
40 Knob Hill Rd. Trucksville 18708
Office Open: Tues, Thurs & Fri 10am - 12pm
Registration required, please call the office.
Phone: (570) 696-2917
Food Distribution: Fridays only 10am - 12pm
BACK MOUNTAIN HARVEST ASSEMBLY
40 Carverton Rd. Trucksville 18708
Open: 1st & 3rd Saturdays 10am - 12pm
Phone: (570) 696-1128
FELLOWSHIP CHURCH FOOD PANTRY
45 Hildebrandt Rd. Dallas 18612
Open: Tues, Thurs & Fri 11am - 2pm
Registration required, please call the office.
Phone: (570) 675-6426
Food Distribution: Tues, Thurs & Fri 11am - 2pm
Please use door A
FOOD DIGNITY
Take what you need, pay what you can pop-up produce stands
Follow their social media for updates, pop-up locations and events.
PEDIATRIC ASSOCIATES OF KINGSTON PROVISIONS
451 3rd Ave. Kingston
Phone: (570)-288-6543
https://pakpeds.com/Resources/Food-Dignity/Local-Resources
SARA'S TABLE AT KRAUS CHAIKEN FOOD PANTRY
Friedman JCC 613 S J Strauss Lane Kingston
Open: Fridays 9:30 am -11:00 am
Registration required, please call office.
Phone: (570) 824-4646
Email: b.sugarman@nepajca.org
*Offers Kosher products
WYOMING UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
40 Institute Ave. Wyoming, PA 18644
Phone: (570) 609-5410
Open: Tues, Wed & Thurs 9am - 2pm
Registration required, please call office.
Food Distribution: 3rd Thursday of every month 5pm - 7pm
For a list of additional food banks and pantries click on link below.
COMMUNITY PROVIDED MEALS
DALLAS ACTIVE ADULT CENTER
Provides free, hot lunches for persons over the age of 60 and of all income levels to help them remain independent and contributing members of the community. For more information click on the link below.
1158 Twin Stacks Dr. Dallas 18612
Open: Monday - Friday 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Phone: (570) 675-2179
DINNERS FOR KIDS
Provides free meals for local children. For more information click on the link below.
FORK OVER LOVE
Is a pay-it-forward initiative providing free, hot meals to the community. For more information click on the link below.
SIDNEY AND PAULINE FRIEDMAN JEWISH COMMUNITY CENTER
Kosher Meal Delivery
Five meals are prepared at the Jewish Home of NEPA and are delivered frozen to the consumer. Deliveries for those in need are made once per week on Mondays at 10:30 am. All meals are Kosher and special dietary needs are met. The meal program is provided through the Area Office on Aging as part of the Meals on Wheels program. Private pay is available.
For more information click on the link below.
Friedman JCC 613 S J Strauss Lane Kingston
Phone: (570) 824-4646
Email: b.sugarman@nepajca.org
CLOTHING & CAREER SUPPORT
FELLOWSHIP CHURCH CLOTHING CLOSET
45 Hildebrandt Rd. Dallas 18612
Open: Tues, Thurs & Fri 11am - 2pm
Phone: (570) 675-6426
Please use door A
MARY'S CLOSET
Mary's Closet is a free clothing ministry for anyone in need. All types of clothing from men's to women's to children's to plus-sizes are available. Some household items are also offered when available. *There are no income guidelines and no questions asked. Emergency visits to Mary's Closet (for those sufferings from some type of domestic crisis) can be addressed by calling the parish office.
For more information click on the link below.
38 West Church St. Nanticoke 18634
Open: Wednesdays from 9 am - 11 am
Phone: (570) 735-4833
Mary's Closet is located in the basement of the former St. Stanislaus Catholic Church & current Cultural Center of St. Faustina.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS
(Professional attire , empowerment and support system for women)
Their purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. Dress for Success is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures.
We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but we are about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides physically equipping the client with apparel and accessories, our programs furnish her with a confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes and what success means to her.
For more information click on the link below.
38 W Market St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
Open: Mondays - Fridays 10am - 5pm
Phone: (570) 270-4949
COMMUNITY OUTREACH SERVICES
ADOPT A SINGLE MOM PROJECT
Their mission is to create a movement providing direct support to empower working single moms of NEPA and beyond filling the gaps with a network of sustainable resources and support to enhance their quality of life so they can be the best version of themselves to thrive as moms and women of our community.
For more information click on the link below.
FAMILY SERVICE ASSOCIATION OF NEPA
Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania, a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization, provides diverse services to children, individuals, seniors, and families, empowering them to achieve their full potential through building healthier relationships and stronger communities.
SLEEP IN HEAVENLY PEACE
Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Luzerne Chapter), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need.
Phone: (844) 432-2337 x 5932
