Next week, I kick off my annual Spring diaper drive, where I rely on family, friends and neighbors to support my effort to help families who struggle to afford diapers.
I recently learned that the high cost of diapers can impact a parent’s ability to work because child care providers can require parents to provide enough diapers for each day of care. A family struggling financially may be able to stretch a day’s worth of diapers out longer at home, but must have a surplus in order to make sure they meet the requirements at daycare.
The next time I connect with the Allied Foundation, a diaper bank I’ve been working with since 2021, I plan to ask if they have an outreach program for daycare centers in low income neighborhoods. This could be another compelling avenue to assist economically-challenged young families.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most parents will go through approximately 3,000 diapers during the first year of their child’s life. That’s a huge expense. If you’re reading this, I hope I have encouraged you to donate to your local diaper or food bank. Some suggestions are right here on my site. Every little bit helps.
I look forward to reporting back on my diaper drive in the next few months!