MARSHALL — A group of Marshall area businesspeople is calling on community members to help support local child care providers. The “We Care 4 Daycare” donation drive is collecting donations of baby and toddler items like diapers, sanitizing items like disinfectants and cleaning cloths, and kitchen essentials like paper towels and disposable plates.

A donation drop-off event will be held Saturday at the Marshall Hy-Vee. Donations can also be dropped off through May 1 at the Marshall Area YMCA and Holy Redeemer School.

The donation drive is a project led by group members from the Marshall Leadership Academy. Child care initiatives are something that the Marshall Economic Development Authority has been working on recently, and it was an issue that also interested donation drive organizers.

“Rising costs are putting pressure on these essential providers, and they need our help,” said group member Gabe Pieper.

“Childcare is not just a family issue–it’s an economic issue,” said Marshall EDA Director Lauren Deutz. “When families cannot access reliable childcare, parents are often forced to reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely. That impacts local businesses, workforce availability, and overall economic growth.”

Pieper said organizers had conversations with in-home child care providers in Marshall, and based on that they tightened their focus to gathering more “daily use” items for day care. Examples include items like diapers, wipes, sanitizing supplies, paper towels, bibs, and disposable plates and cups.

Group members behind the “We Care 4 Daycare” initiative include Pieper, Patrick Clemens, Tristian Fales, Dr. Cody Kruize and Nicole Pagel.

So far, community members have started to respond to the call for donations, Pieper said.

“We have already started seeing donations being made at our Holy Redeemer School and Marshall Area YMCA drop-off locations,” Pieper said.

Donations for the “We Care 4 Daycare” drive can be brought to the YMCA or Holy Redeemer School any time through Friday, May 1. A donation event will be held Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Marshall Hy-Vee.

Items will be distributed to child care providers on May 9.