Mothers Helping Mothers serves families who are pregnant or who have custody of children under 18 and live in Sarasota or Manatee County. All services are completely free to clients.
Shopping at the store requires an appointment. You can't walk in without one. New clients need to schedule their first appointment before coming in.
If you meet the eligibility requirements, visit mhmsarasota.org/become-a-client to schedule your first appointment online. You'll be asked to confirm that you live in Sarasota or Manatee County and that you're pregnant or have custody of a child under 18.
Bring a valid ID or passport to every appointment. At your first visit, you'll also need to bring proof of your children or your pregnancy.
Clients can shop once every four months. If you're within 60 days of your due date and it's not yet time for your regular visit, you can book a separate "Baby Only Items" appointment without affecting your regular return date.
Each appointment is 40 minutes long. Only you, your spouse, and your registered children may shop — no guests. Item limits apply, so you'll be shopping for your family only. Free childcare is provided on most days while you shop. If you miss an appointment without canceling, you get one free pass. After that, a missed appointment counts as a visit and you won't be able to return for four more months. Appointments are available in 15-minute slots, so book only one slot on your desired day. To cancel or reschedule, use this form.
At every shopping appointment, families receive a bag of food to take home and can also shop for additional food items in the store at no cost. Infants receive age-appropriate formula to support healthy growth and nutrition. The store is stocked with unexpired dry goods that a person would normally buy in a monthly grocery shop.
Beyond food, the free boutique-style store is filled with gently used clothing and shoes for every member of the family, from infants to adults, including maternity wear. Families can also find household items, kitchenware, bedding, toys, books, diapers, wipes, and seasonal essentials. At every appointment, clients receive a free sleeve of diapers and wipes, a bag of age-appropriate books, brand-new socks and underwear for children through the Dignity Program, and a reusable menstrual cup.
Additional baby items include refurbished breast pumps, free cloth diaper kits (the only cloth diaper bank in Southwest Florida), car seats through the Safe Ride program, pack-and-play sleep yards and cribs through the Safe Sleep program, strollers, high chairs, and other baby gear and equipment. Expecting mothers who are within 60 days of their due date can receive a Happy Birthing Bag filled with thoughtful gifts and essentials.
The store operates like a boutique, letting you browse and choose items yourself during your scheduled shopping appointment. Volunteers are always on hand to help you find what you need. You'll shop for 40 minutes and can bring home everything you select at no cost.
Mothers Helping Mothers offers many services beyond the store:
MHM accepts goods, funds, and vehicles. Goods can be dropped off at the main location at 5933 N. Washington Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34243, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and the 1st Saturday of the month from 8:30 am to 1 pm (closed on major holidays). Drive straight through to the back donation drop-off door during those hours. A second drop-off location is at Suncoast Community Church, 8000 Hawkins Rd., Sarasota, FL, open Monday through Thursday 8 am to 4 pm.
Accepted items include gently used clothing and shoes for all ages, kitchenware, linens, home decor, unexpired dry food goods, small appliances, baby items (bottles, dishes, breast pumps, unopened formula), and toys. They don't accept used car seats, used cribs, expired food, sharp objects, broken items, or large furniture. For items they can't take, you can post them in the free Facebook Marketplace group.
To donate money online, visit mhmsarasota.org/donate-funds. You can also give by Venmo at @MHMsarasota or by Zelle at mhmsarasota@gmail.com. Individual donations up to $500 per month are matched thanks to a partnership with the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust. Amazon wishlists for a Donor Drive, Baby Shower, and Toy Drive are also available on the donate-goods page.
To donate a vehicle, visit mhmsarasota.org/vehicle-donation-program.
MHM runs entirely on volunteers and welcomes people of all skill levels and schedules. Most in-store volunteer shifts run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:45 am to 1 pm. The second Thursday of each month has evening shifts from 5:30 to 8:45 pm, and there are also 1st Saturday of the month shifts and flexible remote options for tasks like social media, marketing, and newsletters.
To apply as an individual, visit the volunteer application. For group volunteer requests, use this form. For questions, email vol@mhmsarasota.org.
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