If you are receiving this it is because you receive my Washington Political Watch, because you have at one time or another been invited to my “Just Becuz” or Valentine’s Day luncheon, or you are on one of my personal lists. And, I apologize if you receive this email more than once.
I promise that this is the first and last time I will use these lists to seek a charitable contribution for any organization or cause.
I was first introduced to the “baby diaper” crisis by my niece Nicki who donated a gift I gave her for her 50th birthday to the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank.
Since then I have learned quite a lot, including the fact that very few people I know have ever heard of diaper banks or the problem that they are working to solve.
Here are a few facts:
- 5.2 million children in the U.S. aged three or younger live in poor or low-income families. 1 in 3 American families with children in this group cannot afford sufficient supplies of diapers for their children.
- Diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps. (California is the only state that provides support of $30/month for diapers.)
- Disposable diapers cost $70-$80 per month for each baby.
- Babies who remain too long in a soiled diaper are exposed to potential health risks.
- Most childcare centers, even free and subsidized facilities require parents to provide a day’s worth of disposable diapers with each child.
There is a “picture” that I cannot get out of my minds’ eye – it is of a mother or father “…experiencing diaper need, reusing soiled diapers – dumping solid wastes and/or air drying urine-soaked diapers” and putting them back on their child.
The very first diaper bank was established in southern Arizona in 2000. The New Haven Diaper Bank was founded in 2004.
The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) was organized in 2011 and is based in New Haven, Connecticut. The founding sponsor was Huggies, a Kimberly Clark company. It annually contributes 20,000,000 diapers to the Network.
The Network now includes more than 300 local diaper banks in 47 states and the District of Columbia. There are more than 3,500 partner agencies.
In 2016, a total of 52 million diapers were provided to needy families by NDBN. Nearly 280,000 children were diapered each month. Some 69,000 people volunteered at various diaper banks.
I am writing to ask you to consider making a contribution to help these babies and their families.
There are two ways to make a contribution (contributions are tax deductible).
Contributions to the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) are used to distribute the 20,000,000 donated Huggies diapers as well as to provide various forms of organizational assistance to community-based diaper banks around the country. You can make a donation, and support this dynamic organization that is making a difference in the lives of babies and their families, by going to www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org.
If you would prefer to contribute to a diaper bank in your area, visit the NDBN website and click on “Our Members.” Here, you can find a diaper bank program near you.
Thanks much for considering.
—Mike