Our Story
Built on friendship. Grown through community. Powered by love.
What started with a dream in a basement has grown into Canada’s largest diaper donation program. At Baby Love, our story is about heart, hustle, and a shared belief that every baby deserves the basics. Here’s how we got here: one diaper, one partnership, and one powerful moment at a time.
Our Journey
Many Years Ago
Julia and Tanya have been friends for decades, connected by creativity, compassion, and a shared desire to make a difference. Long before becoming mothers, their work in philanthropy opened their eyes to the challenges facing many young families. When they each had babies during the pandemic, those challenges felt closer than ever. Hearing how local mothers were struggling to access the basics, they knew they had to do something, and Baby Love was born.
Friends First
2022
Like many great ideas, Baby Love began in a basement. With diapers stacked to the ceiling, every box represented a lifeline for a family in need. The very first 10,000 diapers, generously donated by Shopper’s Drug Mart, became the foundation of what would grow into a community-wide movement of care and support.
Humble Beginnings
2022
Our first official partnership was with The Neighbourhood Organization (TNO) in Toronto’s Thorncliffe Park. Their overwhelming response to those first 10,000 diapers confirmed just how urgent and widespread the diaper gap truly is. TNO helped shape our model of working through local community organizations, a strategy we’ve relied on ever since. Today, TNO remains a valued and active partner.
Our Founding Partner
2022
As word spread, friends and family showed up: not just to pack diapers, but to help build something they believed in. Those early packing sessions were scrappy and full of purpose, and they laid the foundation for the movement we’re building today.
Packing with Love
2023
By 2023, Baby Love had grown from a small idea into a citywide effort supporting thousands of families. In February 2023, we reached an important milestone: becoming a registered Canadian charity. It was both a validation of the work we’d built together and a doorway to new possibilities: deeper partnerships, sustained funding, and the ability to reach even more families with the essentials every baby deserves.
A Defining Milestone
As demand grew, so did the need for space and reliable logistics. That’s when Access Storage and Atripco stepped in: donating storage and delivery services to help keep Baby Love moving. With their in-kind support, we were able to expand our reach across the city, delivering thousands of diapers each month. Their generosity turned a logistical challenge into a powerful partnership, helping us get essentials where they’re needed most.
Moving our Mission Forward
2023
2023
With the need clearly understood and the logistics network in place, we were ready to grow. A waitlist of community partners was already forming, but expanding meant securing additional funding. At our first fundraiser, friends and family came together to officially launch Baby Love and fuel its next chapter. That night, we raised over $25,000, helping us expand our reach and deepen our impact.
Our First Fundraiser
2024
Baby Love marked a major milestone: 1 million diapers delivered to families across the Greater Toronto Area. More than just a number, it reflected the scale of the need and the strength of the community rallying to meet it. This moment deepened our commitment to ensuring every child has access to the essentials.
1 Million Diapers Delivered
2024
Julia & Tanya welcomed Executive Director Jessica van Rooyen. With her leadership and heart, we began to scale with purpose, expanding our reach and deepening our impact.
Growing Our Team
2025
After diapers, baby wipes were the most requested item by the families we serve. In January 2025, we expanded our support by including wipes for every child, a meaningful next step in ensuring families have access to the essentials they need to care for their little ones with dignity.
Wipes For Every Child
2025
Our first community baby shower brought together 50 expecting mothers for a joyful day of connection, celebration, and shared stories. The experience beautifully reaffirmed the purpose behind our mission.
Celebrating Moms-to-Be
2025
As of August 2025, we’re proud to provide every Baby Love family with Royale’s premium, hypoallergenic diaper — the only branded diaper made in Canada. Local manufacturing not only helps us scale more sustainably, but also keeps our impact rooted in the communities we serve.
Made in Canada
Help us reach the next milestone
From basement beginnings to 3 million diapers delivered, every step has been fueled by community. Join us in writing the next part of Baby Love’s story.