By SALINA POST
Saving lives just got a little easier in Salina, Kansas. The newest Safe Haven Baby Box will be blessed on March 21, 2025. According to a statement from Salina Fire and Safe Haven Baby Boxes, the newest addition represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide a safe and anonymous alternative to surrendering an infant.
Located at 222 West Elm Street in Salina, our new location will offer a secure and compassionate option for parents in crisis and help ensure every infant has a chance for a safe and loving future. Across the country, there are 327 Safe Haven Baby Box locations with two in Kansas.
The Safe Haven Baby Box in Salina would not have been possible without the local advocates who worked tirelessly to bring this resource to their community.
"We would like to thank Tiffany Moss and City Commissioner, Bill Longbine, the former mayor, for helping bring this program to the community," a statement from the organization reads.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes was founded by Monica Kelsey on a mission to end infant abandonment. In addition to baby boxes, the organization provides a confidential National Hotline, 1-866-99BABY1. Twenty states have a Baby Box presence within their state.
“We have seen time and time again that preparation can save and change lives," Kelsey said. "We never know when or where we will be needed, so it is crucial to have options for mothers in crisis. I am grateful for local advocates who take our mission to their community.”
Since 2017, 55 infants have been safely and legally surrendered in a Baby Box. The National Safe Haven Crisis line has assisted with over 150 handoff surrenders. Each year the numbers increase with more baby boxes available across the country. Surrendered infants are adopted by families who have registered as foster to adopt.