St. Louis County will host a distribution event for baby essentials on Nov. 18. The event will take place at the John C. Murphy Health Center, 6121 N. Hanley Road in Berkeley, from 1 to 6 p.m. or until donations run out.

Over the past week, the county has collected donations of baby essentials given by community members; the donation drive was launched last month by County Executive Sam Page, Public Health Director Kanika Cunningham and St. Louis County Library Director and CEO Kristen Sorth to combat the effects of the government shutdown. 

Items that will be distributed at the drive include formula, diapers, wipes and other essentials. More donations will continue to be accepted through Nov. 17, where they are collected through in-person drop-offs at St. Louis County Library branches or at St. Louis County Health Centers. South County drop-off locations include:

• The Grant’s View Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 9700 Musick Road
• The Cliff Cave Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 5430 Telegraph Road
• The Oak Bend Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 842 S. Holmes Ave.
• The Meramec Valley Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 1501 San Simeon Way
• The Weber Road Branch of the St. Louis County Library, 4444 Weber Road
• The South County Health Center, 4580 S. Lindbergh Blvd.

Other donations can be made through Amazon and Target wishlists. 

“We are grateful for the incredible generosity of our residents and partners,” Page said. “The St. Louis community consistently steps up to help their neighbors, and these essentials will provide much-needed help during this challenging time.”