Gwen Broda decided this winter it was time to stop talking and start acting.

Last summer the Toronto mother of three read an article about the baby boxes each mother in Finland receives following the birth of her child.

The box, which can also be used as an infant crib, is a virtual cornucopia of necessary items for a new mom and baby, such as a snowsuit, every kind of clothing, diapers, a bathing kit that includes a hooded towel, a mattress and bedding, books, bib, bra pads, toy and even a package of condoms.

The only stipulation is each mom must have a prenatal home-care visit before the box is delivered.

Broda was inspired. She has many friends in social services and has heard many troubling stories of families in need.

“I thought, ‘Why don’t we have this. Canada needs this,’ ” Broda said in a phone interview last week. “It’s unacceptable that we don’t provide the necessary supports for all mothers in need.”

As a nurse, Broda understands the health benefits of Finland’s baby box program, which began in 1938 for low-income families and extended to everyone in 1949. The idea of doing the same thing here was percolating among her friends when she came across the article again a few months ago. It was time to act.

“We started to stop making it a bunch of talk,” Broda said.

She enlisted help and the New Mom Project was born. A blog , a Facebook page and Twitter account were quickly created. Her husband also designed an app.

Broda has created a couple of sample kits and the offers of help have been pouring in. Her living room is filled with donations of gently used and new items. “This has exploded beyond my wildest dreams.”

Broda’s long-term goal is to get the federal government involved and make it a national initiative, “to establish a Canadian baby box for every mother.”

But first she is going to start with Toronto mothers in need and will provide kits to hospitals, midwives, and social service agencies.

I love this idea. There are so many worthy charities, but something about helping children whose parents are struggling to provide hits me at my core. This has been the case since our twins were born 21 months ago. My wife and I are fortunate to be able to provide for our children and I can’t imagine the anguish of parents who have trouble affording clothing, towels, diapers, snowsuits and bedding.

Broda says she feels the same way.

“As soon as you become a parent, your perspective changes. You don’t want any child to go without the basics. There are some people who don’t have those basics.”

Broda has three kids and she said she received tremendous support from family and friends to help raise them. “Not everybody has the support I do.”

She strongly believes society needs to do a better job of celebrating motherhood.

“A mom and a baby matter to everybody,” she said.

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In November I wrote about a similar charity, The Diaper Bank , another mother-driven charity that provides diapers for needy families.

I am so impressed with these mothers. It’s easy to think about helping marginalized families, but it’s another thing to put those good thoughts into action.

Broda’s ideal baby box would include: clothes ranging in size from 0-12 months, including onesies and sleepers; wipes and newborn diapers, a baby carrier, a baby blanket, a book, a snow suit, toys and parenting information.

Broda and I talked about the emotional impact these boxes will have on a marginalized mother: she will know society values her child, she’ll know she is not alone.

“The psychosocial implications are huge,” Broda said.

The box, alone, is also symbolic. I suspect few mothers in Finland actually use it as a crib, but I think it’s an important image that the state cares enough to provide a bed, no matter how spartan it may be. Broda doesn’t have boxes yet, but hopes students at OCAD could design one.

If you want to help, you can contact Broda through the New Mom Project website, newmomproject.ca , blog ( http://newmomproject.blogspot.ca/ ) or Facebook page .

Broda doesn’t accept cash but will accept donations of new and gently used items. Car seats, however, must be brand new.

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