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Hundreds of pregnant women across Alberta will receive a cardboard box full of newborn essentials this year as part of a University of Calgary research study funded by a $500,000 government grant the late MLA Manmeet Bhullar announced in 2014.

The pilot project is based on Finland’s famous baby boxes — a starter kit every new mom in the Nordic country has received since 1938. The box contains diapers, clothes, books, blankets, as well as a tiny mattress, transforming the cardboard box into a crib a baby can safely sleep in.

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In the fall, 1,500 baby boxes were packed with basic supplies in a makeshift warehouse in Calgary and about 50 first-time moms across the province have already received the care packages as part of the U of C research study called Welcome to Parenthood.

The study will see Alberta’s version of the baby box — the first in Canada — handed out to participants who will fill out questionnaires and connect with another adult in their social network that will take on a mentorship role during the jump from pregnancy to parenthood.