Tim Fraylon holds his daughter, Riyah Primrose Cuffie-Fraylon, who requires a specific type of formula that hasn’t been easy to find amid the nationwide shortage. (Courtesy Cuffie-Fraylon family)

Amid the nationwide baby formula shortage, community activist Tim Fraylon and his wife have had family members throughout the country desperately search for the type of baby formula their prematurely born infant daughter needs and Fraylon hit stores throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Now Fraylon is bringing help to other parents searching for formula with a “drop and swap” event in North Hartford Saturday because he realizes not everyone has a network of out-of-state relatives and the ability to drive hundreds of miles.

This week’s event will be held Saturday, June 4 at 75 Sterling St. from noon to 3 p.m. and will include diapers.

“It’s definitely a scary time to know a mother, father or guardian can’t get formula for their babies,” Fraylon said. He said the price of gas and food are pressing issues, but, “This has to be a top priority.”

The nationwide formula shortage is a consequence of pandemic-related supply chain challenges and a nationwide baby formula recall by Abbott Nutrition. Abbott closed its plant in Sturgis, Michigan, in February amid the recall after multiple infants fell ill with bacterial infections following their consumption of powdered baby formula. Abbott issued a statement saying there was no “conclusive evidence” connecting its formulas to the infant illnesses.

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After attending a swap in another part of the city that was personally fruitful, Fraylon, co-founder of Unity Community Outreach Corporation and director of Food 4 U, enlisted the help of Joanna Iovino, program director of NELP Hartford, who wholeheartedly supported the idea. NELP Hartford (North End Little Panties) is an initiative of Food 4 U.

Iovino said she has some formula to give, but they can’t put it in the regular food boxes at three locations because of possible thefts.

The “drop and “swap” is a great idea, she said, but the first one last Saturday was slow because not many people knew about it and it was raining.

People from anywhere can show up for formula without dropping any off — and in that case there’s a two can limit. Or they can drop-off new, unopened formula, or drop off and pick up.

To pick up formula people must bring a birth certificate or a baby, Iovino said. The idea is that parents who don’t have enough formula can pick some up or they can search for a special kind their child handles the best.

There also will be a diaper giveaway, since they are expensive and not covered by benefits, Iovino said.

Fraylon said he had a bunch of formulas other than the ones ideal for his daughter, Riyah Primrose Cuffie-Fraylon, that he donated. Fraylon said the “drop and swap” model will be ongoing at different locations and as it all evolves, there may be collaboration with other Hartford neighborhoods.

Yashica Cuffie-Fraylon holds her daughter, Riyah Primrose Cuffie-Fraylon, a preemie who requires a specific formula that has been difficult to find amid a nationwide shortage.

Fraylon said he’s relieved Riyah will be 6 months old next month and able to eat cereal so she won’t need as much formula.

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Experts recently told the CT Mirror that low-income families have been disproportionately affected by the shortage. Parents who rely on the federal Women, Infants and Children nutrition assistance program face limits on brands and types of formula and the retailers where they can purchase those products.

If low-income parents do happen upon formula, they are less likely to be able to purchase a little extra, experts told the CT Mirror.

“If you are in a situation where you have limited resources available to you, even searching for formula and looking around or getting formula online [is difficult]. You’re definitely leaving folks further behind,” Tiffany Donelson, president and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation, said to the Mirror.