DonateFor the Children
KidVantage, formerly “Eastside Baby Corner” helps children have what they need to grow, play, learn and thrive. We do this by providing essential care, safety, and health goods for children who are experiencing the stresses of economic insecurity, systemic inequities, or family disruption.
Basic Essentials for a Healthy Start in Life
Kids, ages birth through 12, get shoes, diapers, formula, blankets, coats, and much more from KidVantage, and our service partners.
KidVantage also provides for expectant and postpartum mothers, supplying maternity wear, personal care goods, and mother-infant support items.
Kids are warm, healthy, safe, and better prepared to fulfill their own potential because of KidVantage.
We Help the Helpers
More than 80 school districts, health & human service organizations, early learning centers, and food banks are in the KidVantage collaborative network. Counselors, nurses, case managers, and teachers can order weekly for the children and families in their program, delivering customized orders of clothing, diapers, shoes, school supplies, and more. Service partners can concentrate their resources and expertise on supporting families, not collecting goods.
See our list of current partners here!
Community Up
People in our communities donate most of the clothing, baby gear, toys, and books. More goods come from community collection drives and events. KidVantage buys crucial supplies, including those we guarantee to provide: baby food, formula, car seats, pack n’ play beds, and diapers. We are a place where you can help give all kids the advantage of a strong foundation in life.
Volunteers are at the heart of KidVantage’s service, donating thousands of hours each year.
Regional Impact
Through four Hubs, our services are accessible to families at over 280 locations in the Central Puget Sound Region.
Our Vision
We imagine a world where all children are healthy, safe and prepared to build their own futures.
Our Mission
KidVantage helps kids reach their full potential tomorrow by meeting basic needs today.
224,006
In 2023
Provided 224,006 orders of essential items valued at $6.2 million dollars, at no cost to the family or to our agency partners.
97%
In 2023
Only 3.30% of all requests went unfilled last year, despite a 38% increase in services
14,199
In 2023
Bundles of clothing for newborns, expectant moms, and kids were filled with clothes, shoes, coats, and more
284
In 2023
Access points to KidVantage services across 5 Central Puget Sound counties
7,888
In 2023
Provided about 23,000 days of nourishment, distributing 7,888 cans of formula
48,692
In 2023
Toys for kids, bringing smiles & igniting their imagination went to kids, from birth through age 12
2,538
In 2023
Supplied 2538 car seats, a 26% increase over 2022
10,276
In 2023
Assisted nearly 11,000 households one or more times through individualized orders, Community Resource programs & more
173
In 2022
173 community collection drives, including Diaper Derby, contributed 221,681 essentials for kids, with a value of almost $300,000
Our History
KidVantage, formerly “Eastside Baby Corner” was founded in 1990 by Karen Ridlon. Her background as a pediatric nurse practitioner gave her insight into what kids need for healthy development, and what families need to care for their children. With a broken playpen, a few other donated items, grit, determination, and a community network, Karen started KidVantage. Over the past 31 years, KidVantage has grown from Karen’s dining room to three locations in King and Kitsap counties.
KidVantage’s Central Hub is located in Issaquah, WA. Partners in North King and South Snohomish counties can now access services through the Shoreline Hub, which opened in June 2022, relocating from Kenmore. West Sound’s Hub was launched by a team of volunteers, opening in 2016 in Bremerton. Rowley Properties has provided KidVantage’s Central Hub a home in Issaquah for three decades.
Starting in 2008, KidVantage transitioned from an all-volunteer organization to one with more sustainable governance and financial structure.
Organizational Beliefs
We believe…
…providing basic needs alleviates the impacts of poverty and crisis, helping children to reach their potential.
…we have more impact collectively than individually – together we build community and care for one another.
…engaging the vibrant diversity in our communities, with a focus on inclusion and equity, strengthens our community and organization.
…we help more children when we make the most of our collective resources.