Precious Purple Sunday is an annual event that celebrates Baltimore’s babies and creates awareness about keeping babies safe and healthy. Precious Purple Sunday has been celebrated every year since 2017. More than 100 churches participate as well as individuals and organizations of many types.

The event consists of wearing purple and posting photos on social media, using the hashtag #PreciousPurpleSunday. Photos from the event are posted on the day of and the week following the event. B’more for Healthy Babies provides small ribbons to pin on clothing and talking points for pastors to use in their services, plus a special bulletin insert and other educational materials on safe sleep for infants, early childhood development, nutrition, and more.

To learn more about the event, contact Pastor Meldon Dickens at pastordickensibc@gmail.com or 443-416-1071.

Free educational materials are available in bulk orders to hand out to congregants and the broader community. These materials focus on important topics like safe sleep for babies, support during pregnancy, breastfeeding, smoke-free homes, and more.

Baltimore City has a network of free services and programs to support mothers, babies, and their families. These services range from home visiting programs for pregnant women to getting help for a baby with developmental concerns. Find a list of resources with key phone numbers so that you can easily refer families to these services and programs.

Some programs ask that you send in a referral form. By clicking on the link below, you can access the referral form for each program:

• The Crib and Safe Sleep Program provides a free portable crib and safe sleep education to eligible families. The portable crib will be delivered and set up in the home. The best time to apply to this program is in the last 6 weeks of pregnancy.

• The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program offers food support, nutrition advice, and breastfeeding support to eligible pregnant and postpartum women, and infants and children up to age 5.

• The Community Asthma Program provides free in-home visits to help families learn how to control childhood asthma.

• The Health Ministries Association offers a discount on prescriptions through its Free Savings flyer. Many pharmacies in Baltimore accept this discounted program – see a list of participating pharmacies on the flyer.

B’more for Healthy Babies offers free community-based programs. Some programs have eligibility or income requirements.

• B’more Fit, a nutrition, fitness, and stress management program for mothers of children under age 5. Call 410-396-9404 (has income eligibility requirements).

• Moms Clubs, an educational support group program for pregnant women and their partners (several locations citywide). Call 410-662-5500.

• HOPE Project, a home visiting and group support program that provides support to mothers who have experienced a fetal or infant loss. Call 410-649-0500.

Some healthcare, social services, and nonprofit agencies provide services in community settings. Check with agencies in your area to see if they would be willing to provide blood pressure screenings or other services at your events.

For tips on how to plan a health fair or event, check out these tips from the Saint Agnes Foundation’s Faith Toolkit.