Hilltown Families 
Grassroots Diaper Drive to Support Families in Need
Spring Diaper Drive in Franklin County to Support Community
Host a Diaper Drive this spring in your place of work, faith community, neighborhood, school, civic organization, or any group you belong to. It is easy and a positive way to support families and a great way to incorporate service-based learning with your children.
Diapers matter in a big way! The health and social consequences for babies and families who do not have sufficient diapers can lead to a whole mountain of problems. To help mothers and families in need, Spring Diaper Drives are being organized to benefit young children and families living in Franklin County.
Sponsored by the Perinatal Support Coalition and the Early Childhood Mental Health Roundtable, two groups of professionals from a range of organizations that serve young children and families, this Spring Diaper Drive can help “close the diaper gap” and help low incomes mothers and families meet their diaper needs… and organizers are looking for families who want to volunteer by organizing a diaper drive in their community to donate to the Spring Diaper Drive!
Reducing diaper need for low income mothers has huge ramifications for maternal and child health, mental health, the child’s development and school success, and the mother’s access to future economic opportunity. Did you know that….
- 46% of the nation’s children under age three live in low-income families and that
- Over a third of these families struggle to buy not only food but basic household supplies such as diapers, detergent, and even toothpaste and that these mothers
- Coping with this diaper need by delaying changing diapers (46%) and reusing old diapers (32%)
- Infants use up to 12 diapers a day and diapers can cost an average of $100 a month or more; up to 6% of gross pay for a low income family
- Diapers can’t be purchased with WIC or SNAP (food stamp) benefits
- Laundromats are expensive and often don’t allow washing of cloth diapers
- Staying in a dirty diaper usually means a crying baby and puts the baby at risk for infections and rashes. Baby is stressed and
- Mom is stressed. Her sense of self is lowered because she can’t meet her baby’s needs; she is at risk for emotional problems and this stress usually means less patience with the child and ability to interact positively. The child may be at risk for child abuse
- Disposable diapers must be provided to enroll a child in an early education and care program and a child who attends a program is 2.5 times more likely to go on to higher education
- Having diapers to enroll a child in an early care and education program allows the mother to attend school and/or work which increases her income potential
Your Family Can Help Close the Diaper Gap:
- Host a Diaper Drive this spring in your place of work, faith community, neighborhood, school, civic organization, or any group you belong to. It is easy and a positive way to support families and a great way to incorporate service-based learning with your children.
- Talk to your friends about the importance of diapers – not just for dry babies but for mothers and families: Health – Mental Health – Opportunity!
- Contact Judy Weinthaler for a packet of materials to help you get started (ideas for hosting a diaper drive, graphics, information sheets on why diapers matter, fact sheets to distribute, donor forms, ideas for doing a diaper drive). Organizers are available to speak with groups about diaper need.
- Contact Amy Olson if you would like to donate diapers or would like to make a financial donation.
For more information contact:
- Judy Weinthaler, LICSW. Early Childhood Mental Health Roundtable. jweinthaler@wildblue.net
- Amy Olson, LMHC. Clinical & Support Options. aolson@csoinc.org
Franklin County Diaper Drive is taking off!! I just want to remind you that small local efforts are greatly appreciated. We have gotten major support from BFMC, GCC as well a churches and high schools. Please be in touch if you would like to help. 413-548-9869 or via email. Thanks, Judy Weinthaler