Wish I May
Every Child Deserves to Feel Special on Their Birthday
No child should go without celebration on their birthday. Wish I May ensures that children in families facing financial hardship can experience the joy of a birthday gift. Through the generosity of donors and volunteers, we provide age-appropriate toys, books, and games, reminding every child that they are seen, valued, and worthy of celebration.
For families in Greene County, Wish I May transforms birthdays from a source of stress into moments of pure joy.
Questions? Call us at 417-862-3586
Make a Child's Birthday Unforgettable
Your support brings smiles to children who might otherwise go without.
Impact
717
Children celebrated with birthday bags in 2025
12 years old and under
Supported through Wish I May
100%
Birthday bags filled with new, quality items
100+
Birthday bags distributed monthly
3
Brand-new, age-appropriate gifts given to every child
Testimonials
When a young family first came to Crosslines during the COVID-19 pandemic, they were facing housing instability, financial hardship, and the stress of caring for multiple family members with disabilities. After a dispute with a landlord left them struggling to catch up on rent, Crosslines helped connect them with grant funding that allowed them to settle their housing situation and move into a safer home.
After a serious injury and ongoing legal challenges disrupted their lives, a young couple came to Crosslines seeking food assistance. Through case management, they set goals and began addressing the many challenges they faced, including food insecurity, employment concerns, disability applications and mental health needs. Crosslines helped connect the couple with community resources, including SNAP benefits, utility assistance and other support services.
At 79 years old, Great-Grandma B. is raising two great-grandchildren, one in elementary school and one in high school. Like many kinship caregivers, she has faced the challenges of meeting the needs of growing children while living on a limited income. Over the years, she has turned to Crosslines for support through programs such as Wish I May, Holiday Assistance, Coats for Kids and resource referrals. Whether she needed help finding services, winter clothing or assistance celebrating special occasions, she knew where to turn for guidance and encouragement.
When a mother came to Crosslines Food Pantry for the first time, she expected to leave with groceries. What she didn’t expect was to also find diapers for her baby, coats for her children, and even a birthday bag for her daughter, whose birthday was that very day. She left not only with food, but with tears of gratitude — a reminder that dignity and hope are just as essential as bread and milk.
When K.W. came to Crosslines, she was a single mother caring for an infant while working to rebuild her life. After overcoming homelessness, addiction and significant personal challenges, she had committed herself to creating a different future for herself and her daughter. Determined to continue moving forward, K.W. enrolled in a rigorous high school completion program through MERS Goodwill. While balancing the demands of parenting, she successfully earned her diploma and was accepted into CoxHealth’s Phlebotomy Program.
The Need
Diaper insecurity is a hidden crisis affecting families across Missouri and the nation. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, nearly half (47%) of U.S. families with young children cannot afford enough diapers to keep their infant or child clean, dry, and healthy. This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a public health emergency with devastating consequences.
In 2024, nearly half of Missouri families with children younger than 4 reported experiencing diaper insecurity, with 79% of mothers feeling stressed or anxious about affording diapers. The financial burden is staggering—the poorest 20% of families spend nearly 14% of their household income on diapers.
The impact extends far beyond finances. In Missouri, 97% of childcare providers require parents to supply diapers, and one in four parents experiencing diaper insecurity reported missing an average of five days of work or school per month because they didn’t have enough diapers.
Yet diapers aren’t covered by government safety net programs like SNAP, WIC, or Medicaid. That’s where the Diaper Bank of the Ozarks steps in — filling the gap so families can work, children can stay healthy, and parents don’t have to make impossible choices.
Our Approach
The Diaper Bank of the Ozarks operates differently than other programs at Crosslines. Rather than working directly with the public, we supply diapers to over 66 partner agencies across 30 counties — including food banks, pregnancy care centers, health departments, and crisis centers. This partnership model ensures families can access diapers alongside other critical services they may need.
Disposable Diapers
Families can receive 50 diapers per month per child through our network of partner agencies. We purchase diapers by the truckload and have them custom-labeled, allowing us to stretch every dollar further and serve more children in need.
Period Products
We also provide tampons and pads to girls and women who are struggling. When a mother can’t afford to care for her baby’s basic needs, she’s certainly not able to care for herself — and menstrual products are a basic health necessity.
Incontinence Products
We accept donations of adult incontinence products (especially larger sizes) and distribute them through our partner network to seniors and adults who need them.
Cloth Diaper Support
For families interested in cloth diapering, we provide kits so they can try this option and see if it works for their household. Cloth diapers can serve as an excellent backup when disposable supplies run low, but they are not the solution for all families, as they require resources like washers, dryers, and hot water.
Get Involved
Whether you host a diaper drive at your church, workplace, or organization, make a financial contribution, or help spread awareness about diaper need in our community, you’re providing relief to families who are doing everything they can to make ends meet.