A local nonprofit in Park Forest has become a vital source of support for families facing diaper shortages in the area. Gifts from Liam, founded by Anna Calix in 2017, began as a small effort to share unused diapers after the loss of her son, Liam Angel. Since then, it has expanded into a program that distributes hundreds of thousands of diapers and other supplies through community partners.
Calix, who has a background in public health and perinatal care, started with a single diaper drive that collected 20,000 diapers on her son’s first birthday. She observed that many families lacked not only basic necessities but also access to information supporting healthy pregnancies and early childhood development.
“Families shouldn’t have to choose between diapers and food,” Calix said. “But rising costs and limited income are forcing too many parents into that position.”
The diaper assistance program relies solely on donated items but has seen demand exceed available donations in recent years. Data from Gifts from Liam indicates that between June and September 2025, the Park Forest distribution site served 91 children through 37 separate pickups. Most requests came from within the local 604 zip code region, although families from 54 different zip codes sought help.
Of those receiving aid locally, most have two or more children in diapers, and nearly four out of five report annual household incomes below $35,000. A significant portion reports even lower incomes. The majority served in Park Forest identify as people of color.
Across south suburban Cook County, around six percent of residents are age five or younger—over 27,000 children under five years old. Calix noted that children are staying in diapers longer than before, which increases costs for families.
Nationally, one out of every two families now struggles to afford enough diapers for their children—an increase since the organization’s founding in 2017. Calix attributes this rise to inflation, stagnant wages, and disruptions to benefits like SNAP.
“When food assistance was paused, we saw requests spike because families had to make choices about where to spend limited funds,” Calix said.
Despite increased need, donations have dropped. A recent drive for Diaper Need Awareness Week gathered only about half as many diapers as the group’s first event—while overall distribution has grown significantly.
Community involvement remains important. At the latest Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service event in Richton Park, over 125 volunteers helped package more than 25,000 diapers and pull-ups within hours.
Gifts from Liam works to provide aid respectfully and includes educational materials with each distribution to assist parents and caregivers.
Calix encourages residents and businesses to contribute by donating supplies or money, volunteering time, hosting drives, or spreading awareness about diaper need locally.
“This is about dignity for families and giving parents the space to focus on what matters most — their children’s health and well-being,” Calix said.
Park Forest continues its efforts toward community engagement through dedicated programs and commissions as described on its official website. The village operates under a council-manager government with a mayor and six trustees guiding policy decisions (source). Other initiatives focus on promoting sustainability practices (source), economic development (source), leadership training (source), and participation in national climate agreements (source).
