Destiny Diaper Bank

 By Rebecca Hines

Basic Need---Diapers

Diaper need is the struggle to provide babies with a basic need-diapers. Although largely unrecognized, a new study commissioned by HUGGIES^® reveals that diaper need is a critical issue in the U.S.

Without diapers, mothers can't meet one of their babies' basic needs. Yet there is little support for these moms and babies in need.

• Many community-based organizations don't provide diapers
  
• Public resources are limited as food assistance programs like food stamps (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) focus solely on food and nutrition, and therefore do not cover diapers
  
• Some moms don't have in-home washing facilities for cloth diapers, and most Laundromats don't allow cloth diapers to be washed for health and sanitary reasons

1 in 3 American moms struggle with diaper need. These moms have had to cut back on basics such as food, utilities like heat and electricity or even child care to provide diapers for their babies. *

• Almost 80% of these moms have had to choose between buying diapers and other necessities because they couldn't afford both*

HUGGIES^® Every Little Bottom Study Academic Collaborators

Dr. Cybele Raver

Dr. Raver directs New York University's Institute of Human Development and Social Change. Her research focuses on young children and families facing economic hardship.

Dr. Nicole Letourneau

Dr. Letourneau holds a Canada Research Chair in Healthy Child Development. She has been studying risk factors to parent-child relationships and child development for more than a dozen years.

Lack of clean, dry diapers may cause physical and emotional suffering for babies.

• Babies in diaper need may be kept in wet, dirty diapers for extended periods of time or made to wear reused diapers that have been cleaned out and put back on*
  
• Babies living in diaper need are more likely to experience signs of irritation and discomfort, cry, and suffer from more diaper rash when they can not be changed.*

Diaper need affects moms' abilities to carry on with necessary daily activities.

• Moms struggling with diaper need are more likely to miss work or school, stay home when they need to go out, or keep their babies out of daycare-which usually requires a day's supply of disposable diapers*
  
• Without enough diapers for routine changes, moms feel distressed* and find the job of parenting more difficult

Together, we can help more babies have enough diapers.

Destiny Diaper Bank began with just an idea of helping single moms out during the Christmas holidays.  I was shocked when my phone began ringing off the hook of moms that had heard that we were giving diapers out. Now, three years later, I never would have believed that I would be helping close to 1500 mothers a month that are in need of diapers.

If you really want to MAKE A CHANGE in America, donate to Destiny Diaper Bank.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:  

*Sorting baby clothes

*Organizing baby items in the center

*Diaper Drives

*Answering phones in center M-F 9-12  How much time can you give 1 hrs? 2hrs.? *Help with diaper distribution at our distribution sites 2:00 - 3:00 any week day *Call schools, churches, organizations for diaper drives

WISH LIST:

*Copy paper

*Ink 74XL Black & 75XL Color HP All-in-one office jet

*Safety pins

*Garbage bags large *Cleaning spray for toys & floor

*Paper towels

*Diapers & Wipes Sizes 2 & 3 Diapers Needed