Parents struggling to make ends meet or trying to find a job with young children can run into a major roadblock: the rising cost of disposable diapers and just how necessary access to clean, disposable diapers are. That need led the Junior League of Hall County to found the Diaper Bank of North Georgia in 2018, and the two partners will be collecting donations next week as part of the annual Diaper Need Awareness Week.
"We really wanted to tap in to a place where a need was not being met in Hall County," said Erin Webb, Chair of the Diaper Bank of North Georgia, which was founded by and partners with the Junior League of Hall County. After some research, they learned just how much family success hinged on having access to disposable diapers. "That's when we learned that diapers and baby wipes were not included in any government funded - the WIC, the food stamps, EBT - none of them was that included. We were all so shocked to learn that," Webb said.
Webb said the community can show support to the families with young children in Hall County by donating disposable diapers or money, or by hosting a drive themselves.
Webb said clean, disposable diapers are just a cog in the wheel of leading a productive life for parents and families. She said working parents can't leave their children at daycares if they cannot afford diapers.
"There are daycares out there who will keep your child at no cost to you, that is supported by the government, but in order to be eligible to go to that daycare, you have to provide diapers," said Webb. "If you cannot afford to provide diapers, your child can no longer go to that daycare, therefore you can no longer go out and look for a job during business hours."
While cloth diapers seem like a cost-effective alternative, Webb said daycares will typically only accept disposable diapers. They are specifically collecting disposable diapers for Diaper Need Awareness Week for that reason.
The health risks of leaving a child in a dirty diaper go beyond diaper rash. A 2013 study showed that not only is baby at risk for urinary tract and other infections, but it can also impact their mental health later in life, as well as impact the mental health of their mother.
Donations made during the week of September 23 through September 26, and all year round, will help organizations including Family Promise, SISU, Little Steps Community Daycare Center, Gateway Domestic Violence Center and CASA distribute diapers directly to the families who need them. Webb another drive is planned for the spring. Anyone interested in setting up a drive at their company or elsewhere can reach out the the diaper bank here.
All diapers collected are inspected for quality, then packed by volunteers from the Junior League to be distributed to their partner agencies. Webb said they accept all kinds of disposable diapers, even if the package is open, as long as the moisture line hasn't turned.
The organizations will also be engaging in educational efforts on social media.
Since 2018, the Diaper Bank of North Georgia has distributed over 60,000 to over 475 families and 750 children. It is part of the National Diaper Bank Network.
Friday
April 26th, 2024
6:00PM
