Friday, September 12, 2014

Diaper Need Awareness Week September 8-14


Did you know that it is reported that 1 in 3 families in the United States struggle to buy diapers for their babies? The same study found that 48% of families delay changing their babies diapers to avoid buying more diapers.  




Disposable diapers are expensive.The average family spends between $1,800 and $3,500 on disposable diapers from birth to potty training. Babies go through a ton (literally, a ton) of diapers a year!  (Want to know what six months of disposable diapers look like? Click HERE)  This basic need can easily go unmet for low income families, as there is no state or federal assistance for diapers. Governor Snyder recognized this unmet need and declared September 8-14 as Diaper Need Awareness Week in Michigan.

Nestlings Diaper Bank of West Michigan was founded in 2011.  Their purpose is to make a difference in the lives of local families by efficiently providing diapers to as many babies as possible through our partnership with shelters, food pantries, local church programs, and other social service organizations.

In 2013, Nestlings partnered with EcoBuns to provide cloth diapers to low income families. The cloth program has been hugely popular.  You can read a few stories from recipients HERE. The program has grown so much in the last year and a half!

How you can help:

EcoBuns is a drop off location for Nestlings.  You can bring in cloth or disposable diapers any time during regular business hours.  Nestlings accepts new and open packages of disposable diapers as well as new and used, clean cloth diapers.  If you switched to cloth diapers and still have some disposable diapers hanging around, you can donate them at EcoBuns to be put to good use.

If you want to support the cloth program, you can donate diapers, or purchase a gift card for Nestlings.

Do you need ideas on how to talk to your kids about diaper need and giving diapers? Check out this blog post.  



No comments:

Post a Comment