As the formula shortage still persists, one small business in Ponca City has taken steps to make a difference. The Farm House Kids Co. has put out a call to anyone who has an extra supply of unopened and non-expired formula to donate to the free formula closet she has in her boutique for any babies in need. It is important for some babies to have very specific formulas, and with the shortages across the U.S., some brands are becoming increasingly hard for parents to get.

With the struggles hitting so close to home, boutique owner Derion Schieber believes that working together is the best solution. In a post on The Farm House Kids Co. Facebook page, Schieber wrote, “We all know the formula shortage is REAL and is affecting our community.” Unlike many events seen on social media, this shortage is happening right here. Schieber has offered to come to her shop on days she is closed just to get people what they need and goes on to say, “Us moms have to help each-other out.” Her main mission is to give back to the community and give access to quality products that they are often lacking.

In an interview, Schieber stressed how much of a struggle postpartum is on its own and how bringing in the fear of not being able to feed your child on top of that is terrifying. “You already go through so many changes, emotionally and physically on your body and to have this extra stress is devastating.” She made it clear that if doing something as small as keeping formula on the shelf can help the community, she absolutely will.

Moms on their last bottle have reached out to her in desperate need and, because of what she has started and with the help of all the donators, have been able to feed their child. Schieber accredited the ability for her to do this all to the donations that she has received from the very community she is working to help. Anyone in need can get into contact with her on The Farm House Kids Co. Facebook page and she urges all mothers in the area to join the Ponca City moms’ group as well.

The Farm House Kids Co., open from 11 pm to 5: 30 pm, still has a free first-come, first-serve formula cabinet and regularly updates stock on Facebook, or you can call the shop at 580-382-4018 for more information. Any and all donations help and can be dropped off at 324 E Grand.