News

Share Our Spare joins families across Chicago, and around the world, in mourning the loss of Dolly Parton.

As Chicago’s affiliate for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, we’ve seen firsthand what her vision built and how many children have benefited from the radical idea that every child, regardless of zip code or income, deserves a book of their own. More than 332 million since 1995 across five countries, with over 3.5 million gifted each month as of June 2026. Locally, across 23 West and South Side communities in Chicago, it has meant thousands of kids growing up as readers before they ever set foot in a classroom.

August 26, 2026

What does Dolly Parton mean to you?

The prolific performer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist Dolly Parton died Tuesday at 80. World leaders and the general public are in mourning.

August 26, 2026

Share Our Spare Launches Baby & Beyond Advocacy Series with Convening on Postpartum Health and Breastfeeding

More than 65 clinicians, state and city officials, community partners, and funders gathered at the Sharehouse on August 19 for the first in a new policy series from Chicago’s largest diaper bank.

August 19, 2026

Presence of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in West Side targets literacy gap

A year into partnering with the “Imagination Library,” Share Our Spare sees positive impact on kids ages 0-5
July 13, 2026

Morning Mix Drive Nets 100K Diapers For Chicago Families

The second annual Morning Mix Diaper Drive with 101.9 The Mix and Huggies collected 100,000 diapers for Chicago families, with Executive Director S. Mayumi ‘Umi’ Grigsby on the impact of diaper need across the city.

July 12, 2026

Building a Network for Diaper Donations with Share Our Spare Chicago

WBBM’s Rob Hart sits down with Umi Grigsby to discuss the challenges families face affording children’s essentials — and how Share Our Spare is building a network with agencies and organizations across Chicago to meet the need.

June 28, 2026

Deep Roots, New Directions

Umi Grigsby joins Chicago Newsroom 2.0 co-hosts Dr. Suzet McKinney and Glenn Eden to share her vision for the future of Share Our Spare, alongside BUILD Inc.’s new leader Bradly Johnson.

June 18, 2026

Sharing and Caring – Diaper Drive Is Set for June 20, Huggies Matches 1 for 1

Nearly one in two Chicagoland families needs help paying for diapers. Huggies partnered with Share Our Spare for a one-for-one matching diaper drive on June 20.

June 14, 2026

Share Our Spare’ help families with baby supplies

CBS News Chicago takes viewers inside the Share Our Spare Sharehouse, where the organization works to provide families in need with diapers and baby supplies.

May 8, 2026

Lil Rel Howrey Hosts Story Time For West Side Kids Thanks To Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

The actor and West Side native known for “Get Out” and “The Angry Birds Movie 2” visited the Nia Family Center. Kids were rapt as he read “Raindrops to Rainbow” and told them jokes.

April 3, 2026

Share Our Spare Appoints S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby, Esq. as Executive Director

A respected leader in public service, nonprofit management, and equity-driven systems change, Grigsby will guide the organization’s strategic growth and expand its impact on children and families across the region.

March 16, 2026

Share Our Spare Provides Community Resources

We learn about the continuing great work of Chicago’s Share Our Spare and its quest to find new funding partnerships from executive director Alex Goodfellow.

July 19, 2025

Dollars, Doulas, and Dolly

Bridget Rundquist explains how the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is fostering literacy among Chicago’s youngest readers.

July 10, 2025

The Morning Mix Diaper Drive

Join Chris, Nikki, and Whip from The Morning Mix – Saturday, June 7th, for the first-ever Morning Mix Diaper Drive presented by Huggies!

June 7, 2025

Get Free Books for Your Child — Every Month from Birth to Age 5!

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a free book gifting program that delivers high-quality books to children from birth to age five. Here’s how to enroll.

May 14, 2025

NBC Chicago 5

Making A Difference: Volunteer With Violeta

Volunteer With Violeta highlights nonprofit organizations in order to support families with young children.

Feb 2025

This NW Side Nonprofit Gets Diapers And Baby Items To Families Who Need Them Most

Share Our Spare recently won an environmental stewardship award and a $10,000 grant for its work diverting items from landfills while helping families in need.

Dec 27, 2024

Revolution Brewing Collecting Diapers For Families In Need Friday

The brewery’s Avondale taproom will treat customers who donate an unopened pack of diapers to a free beer. Donations will benefit the nonprofit Share Our Spare.

Dec 11, 2024

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois Announces Programs and Partners to Improve Maternal and Infant Health Statewide

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois today announced funding for more than two dozen organizations working to improve health outcomes for mothers and babies across Illinois.

Oct 15, 2024

Public Interest Registry Unveils Winners of 6th Annual .ORG Impact Awards at DC Ceremony Hosted by Emmy Winner Alan Cumming

Share Our Spare awarded Environmental Stewardship. Donation Amount: $10,000

Oct 9, 2024

Fox 32

Share Our Spare hosts ‘Christmas in July’ drive to support Chicago families in need

Share Our Spare, a Chicago nonprofit, is holding a “Christmas in July” drive to collect gently used baby items and winter clothing for families in need, providing essential supplies such as diapers and clothing.

July 1, 2024

Hubbard Chicago | Hubbard Radio

Share Our Spare ensures every Chicago area child, ages 0-5, has the essential items they need to support their health and development and equip them for a strong start. With us this morning to talk more about Share Our Spare and the work they are doing for families with young children in the Chicagoland area is Bridget Rundquist, the Director of Partnerships & Community Engagement for the organization.

June 30, 2024

WGN 9

Share Our Spare helping families as need grows

A local organization is asking for help to meet the urgent need for diapers.

May 12, 2024

WGN Radio

The future of journalism, Share Our Spare helping families in Chicago and beyond

Mike Stephen discusses the future of journalism at the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association conference with Jason Block, multimedia communications teacher at Prospect High School, and learns about the important work of the Chicago-based organization called Share Our Spare. This organization helps families in need and executive director Alex Goodfellow discusses their efforts.

March 23, 2024

WGN Radio

Fed rate cuts, Reddit IPO, ‘Diaper Brackets for Good’ challenge

Alex Goodfellow, Executive Director, Share our Spare, tells John about what their non-profit organization does, their mission to help Chicagoland children receive the essentials they need for healthy development, and the upcoming ‘Diaper Brackets for Good’ challenge, the second annual March Madness supply drive that aims to provide diapers for struggling parents with infants in the Chicago area.

March 21, 2024

WGN 9

Diaper Brackets for Good Challenge

Share Our Spare Executive Director Alex Goodfellow talks about the 2nd Annual Diaper Brackets for Good challenge as a way to collect diapers for families in need. One out of every two Chicagoland families is in need of help to pay for diapers.

March 15, 2024

WGN 9

Nonprofit ‘Share Our Spare’ aims to get Chicagoans the diapers they need

Diapers are a considerable expense but necessary for any family with a new baby or toddler. It’s a need that the nonprofit ‘Share Our Spare’ is trying to fill.

March 15, 2024

CNBC

Families struggle to afford diapers

CNBC’s Perry Russom joins Shep Smith to report on why families around the country are struggling to afford diapers for their kids.

December 20, 2021

Chicago Tribune

Diapers are constant, costly and not covered by assistance programs. Here’s how to donate during the holidays

One in three families have reported not having enough diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Babies need up to 12 diapers a day; toddlers use eight, according to the National Diaper Bank Network, which also reports their diaper banks saw an 86% increase in the numbers of diapers distributed since the pandemic began.

December 08, 2021

Fox 32

New pilot program supplying millions of diapers to families in need

A new pilot program will supply about six-million diapers over the next year to partners of the Greater Chicago Food Depository.

July 27, 2021

Chicago Parent

Summer Diaper Drive Helps Families in Need

There’s absolutely no doubt babies need diapers – lots and lots of diapers. But this summer, the need has reached a critical point. That’s why Chicago nonprofit, Share Our Spare, has launched its first-ever Summer Diaper Challenge the organization is calling “Do your Duty.” The goal: Collecting 100,000 diapers by July 20. To do it, it needs your help through donations and even hosting neighborhood diaper drives.

June 25, 2020

Share Our Spare Kicks Off Diaper Drive for Families in Need

Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, one in three families struggled to provide clean diapers for their children, according to the National Diaper Bank. Pandemic-related pay-cuts and layoffs have only exacerbated this challenge. In an effort to have an immediate impact on this critical need, Chicago-based nonprofit Share Our Spare launched the Summer Diaper Challenge, “Do Your Duty,” with the goal of raising 100,000 diapers by July 20. They are enlisting the support of local Ambassadors to help them meet this time-sensitive goal.

June 25, 2020

City of Chicago

Mayor Lightfoot Announces Call to Action to Ensure Caregivers Have Access to Essential Baby Items

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced a call to action for Chicagoans – residents and corporations alike – to donate essential baby items including diapers, wipes and formula to support communities most adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as well as additional recent events. Local nonprofit organization, Share Our Spare, will serve as a centralized donation hub for diapers, wipes and formula that will be distributed to community sites across North Lawndale, Auburn Gresham, Belmont Cragin, Austin, Pilsen, Roseland, and South Shore with an opportunity to expand into other communities as the supply is acquired.

June 12, 2020

NBC Chicago 5

Chicago Non-Profit Handing Out Supplies to Families in Need With Young Children

The Coronavirus pandemic has taken a toll on most households, but social service agencies say less-privileged young families have been hit especially hard.

April 30, 2020

NBC Chicago 5

Share Our Spare Aims to Help Parents In Need

“Share Our Spare” is an organization dedicated to helping families with the stressful and challenging endeavor of raising children. NBC 5’s Anayeli Ruiz has the story.

May 3, 2018

WGN 9

Local Organization Collecting Donated Diapers, Baby Items for People in Need

In Illinois, the National Diaper Bank Network says 23 percent of children under the age of three live below the federal poverty line.

Which means, some parents are forced to make difficult decisions every day between paying rent, putting food on the table or buying basic necessities. This is where organizations like “Share our Spare” step in, a local non-profit tackling this issue.

September 24, 2018

WGN Radio

Share Our Spare Collects Items for Families with Young Children

Seven years ago, a group of moms with items to spare created Share Our Spare. The group’s mission is to collect items to help families with young children. This year, they’ll serve 10,000 children of families from 35 social service agencies. They rely on donations including clothing, books and toys, but most importantly, diapers and wipes. Items can be dropped off Tuesdays and Thursdays and some weekends at 935 W. Chestnut.

November 19, 2018

Share Our Spare Bridget Rundquist

Bridget Rundquist

Director of Partnerships and Community Engagement

A native Chicagoan, Bridget is a mission-driven professional with extensive experience serving young people, working in the intersection of education and social work, and building relationships with diverse communities of stakeholders. Bridget holds a Master’s in Social Work from the George Warren Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis and a Bachelor’s in History with minors in Education and Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA. She spent a semester abroad in Northern Uganda studying Post-Conflict Resolution and has spent several summers in Jerusalem with Project Harmony Israel.

Jesseca Rhymes

Director of Operations

Jesseca began her career with Apartments.com, where she worked directly with property managers and management companies. She also has served as an assistant property manager with Mercy Housing and as the assignments coordinator at DePaul University’s Department of Housing. In 2015, Jesseca founded Never Go Without, which has donated over 50,000 menstruation and incontinence supplies to individuals in need around the Chicago area. She earned her Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management and has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University.

Get In Touch

Share Our Spare
3800 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60641
‭773-657-3117

Share Our Spare Lou

Louis Macmillan

Driver

Louis (Lou) attended Progressive Truck Driving School in Chicago where he received his Class A CDL license. After working at PGT Trucking, he decided to make a change in occupations and started with Share Our Spare in the fall of 2021. Lou says, “I love my job and our mission! I get to deliver essential items for children and meet a lot of new people doing important work throughout the community. I look forward to what’s to come each day!”

Sade Chapman

Operations Manager

Sade (they/them) is a community-oriented service industry professional and administrator with a passion for cultivating care through highly personalized experiences. Sade holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelors’ in Anthropology and International Studies from the University of Washington.

Bill Ross

Auxiliary Program Coordinator

After spending years working as a cook and organizing live music events, Bill pivoted to a new field joining the Share Our Spare team in January 2022 as an AmeriCorps VISTA. He was hired on as the Auxiliary Program Coordinator at the end of his VISTA term in January 2023.

Bill currently lives in Andersonville with his partner. He enjoys his free time playing video games, biking, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and exploring Chicago’s vast landscape of restaurants. He has a passion for workers’ rights and LGBTQIA+ liberation, and hopes to pursue future opportunities related to queer advocacy and labor equity.

Sade Chapman

Operations Manager

Sade (they/them) is a community-oriented service industry professional and administrator with a passion for cultivating care through highly personalized experiences. Sade holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelors’ in Anthropology and International Studies from the University of Washington.

Sade Chapman

Operations Manager

Sade (they/them) is a community-oriented service industry professional and administrator with a passion for cultivating care through highly personalized experiences. Sade holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelors’ in Anthropology and International Studies from the University of Washington.

Jonathan Jackson

Development Manager

Jonathan is passionate about developing a circular economy across Chicago. He has supported grant/application writing, compliance reporting, and policy and procedure development for social service organizations and non-profit development funds in Chicago and beyond. He has a BA in Psychology and an MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology.

Sade Chapman

Operations Manager

Sade (they/them) is a community-oriented service industry professional and administrator with a passion for cultivating care through highly personalized experiences. Sade holds a Master’s in Museum Studies from the University of Illinois-Chicago and a Bachelors’ in Anthropology and International Studies from the University of Washington.

Ella Gilles

Program Coordinator

Ella began her nonprofit career in Oakland, California where she served as a Jesuit Volunteer at Civicorps. After supervising conservation crews for an additional year, she transitioned to family-based service in the Chicago area. She is passionate about developing healthy individuals to promote empowered communities. Ella holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics with a focus in Computer Science from the University of Notre Dame.

Gina Jagminis

Development Associate

Born and raised on Chicago’s south side, Gina is passionate about community-based work in her hometown. She has previously worked directly with middle school youth, and she feels grateful for the opportunity to work towards a more equitable future alongside like-minded people. Gina holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Zach Ellenberger

Warehouse Coordinator

Zach Ellenberger is a logistics and operations professional. His first experience with nonprofit organizations was in high school volunteering with Make-A-Wish Foundation in the Pittsburgh area. Zach holds a bachelor’s in Communications with a minor in Multimedia.

S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby (she/her) Executive Director

S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby

Executive Director

Umi Grigsby is a Chicago-based attorney, policy leader, and equity advocate whose career spans government, philanthropy, and the nonprofit sector. She previously served as Deputy Chief of Policy and Director of Legislative Affairs at the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office and Chief of Policy for the City of Chicago, leading major initiatives advancing equity, health, and opportunity for families and children.

Through her firm, Grigsby Strategic Solutions, Umi has advised organizations on policy strategy, coalition building, and equitable journalism practices, and she has held leadership roles with the Chicago Foundation for Women and the Cook County Human Rights Commission.

Umi joins Share Our Spare at a pivotal moment as the organization celebrates 15 years of impact. She is deeply committed to ensuring every Chicago-area child has the essentials they need for a strong start in life.

Ayesha Jaco is a lifelong resident of Chicago’s West Side dedicated to improving community health and economic vitality in the community she grew up in. As Executive Director of West Side United (WSU), founded by 6 major health systems, she leads cross-sector partnerships to eliminate the 18-year life expectancy gap between West Side residents and the Loop. Under her leadership, WSU has awarded $2.5 million to over 175 small businesses and coordinated $10 million in social impact investments supporting housing and economic development. She helped secure the $10 million Chicago Prize for Sankofa Wellness Village and serves as board chair of the Garfield Park Rite to Wellness Collaborative. She also sits on the boards of Choose Chicago and the Institute for Translational Medicine.

Dr. Inger Burnett-Zeigler is a nationally recognized expert in mental health in Black communities. She has two decades of clinical experience providing psychological interventions to help people with stress management, trauma symptoms, mood and anxiety conditions, and difficulty in interpersonal relationships. Her scholarly work has focused on the role that structural and social determinants of health play in disparities in mental illness and treatment. She has led research to develop culturally tailored mental health interventions that meet the needs of the most under-resourced, marginalized populations. She actively partners with community based organizations to increase access and engagement with evidence based interventions in service of mental health equity. Her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), The Greer Family Foundation, and The Davee Foundation. Inger is actively engaged in the community and has served on several non-profit boards including Thresholds, Cook County Health and The African American Legacy of the Chicago Community Trust. Her past board service includes Heartland Alliance Health, Chicago High School for the Arts, and the Women’s Board of the Joffrey Ballet. Inger has written dozens of articles and lectures widely on mental health and trauma in the Black community. She is an active contributor to the public discourse on mental health and has been featured in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Good Morning America and CNN. She is the author of the favorably reviewed book Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen: The Emotional Lives of Black Women (Amistad, 2021). She is currently working on her forthcoming book, The Black Pregnancy (Amistad, expected 2027). Inger has been recognized for her commitment to public service and health equity; she received the impact award from the Chicago Foundation for Women (2022), wellness woman of the year from Sista Aafa (2023), and an honorary doctorate of humane letters from DePaul University (2024). She currently holds positions as Chief Behavioral Health Officer at the State of Illinois and adjunct faculty at Northwestern University.

Salimah N. Turner—Mommy extraordinaire, Black therapist, owner of S.N. Turner and Associates, and Certified Lactation Counselor—is passionate about supporting individuals and families throughout the perinatal journey. She specializes in maternal mental health, postpartum wellness, breast/chestfeeding education, and lactation support, helping parents navigate the emotional and physical transitions that accompany pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Through compassionate, culturally responsive care, Salimah empowers her clients to build resilience while creating meaningful and lasting change. She strives to ensure every client feels seen, heard, and supported. Her mission is to erase the negative stigma associated with therapy, one person at a time.

Michelle Alero Adeniyi is a maternal and child health leader, licensed practical nurse, full-spectrum doula, speaker, and consultant committed to closing care gaps for women and families. She serves as Director of Maternal & Child Health, Collective Impact at March of Dimes, where she leads cross-sector initiatives advancing health equity, workforce development, and community innovation. Her work has shaped the Doula-Hospital Integration Project and Healthy Pregnancy & Community Wellness Event Series. Michelle has contributed her expertise and lived experience to perinatal mental health initiatives with the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative and March of Dimes. Through UIC’s Maternal Health Digital Storytelling Workshop, part of the Illinois Maternal Health Innovation Program, she created a digital story about her postpartum mental health journey and became a Certified Patient Family Partner with MoMMAs Voices. She is passionate about using lived experience to inform policy, strengthen care systems, and equip families to advocate for change.

Jess Roe is the founder of Windy City Mama Creative and the creator behind The Windy City Mama, a Chicago-based platform where she shares everyday life, family resources, ways to support the local community, and advocacy around motherhood, inclusion, and public policy. She is a mom of three and runs a coffee shop in Chicago. Through storytelling, Jess strives to connect families with trusted information and resources while creating a safe, welcoming space across her platforms. As a longtime supporter of Share Our Spare, she is honored to serve as the virtual host for this Maternal Mental Health Advocacy Panel.

Jenny LeFlore is the founder of Mama Fresh Chicago, a trusted community platform dedicated to helping modern moms feel seen, supported, and connected. Through storytelling, community events, and advocacy, she has become a leading voice for Chicago families, creating spaces where parents can access resources, build relationships, and engage in conversations that matter.

As the moderator for today’s discussion, Jenny brings her experience connecting families, nonprofit organizations, and civic leaders to facilitate meaningful conversations that inspire action. Her work has been featured by the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Parent, ABC, NBC, WGN, and WBEZ, and she is passionate about ensuring every mother has access to the support she deserves.

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