Diaper Need is the inability of a caregiver to provide an adequate supply of disposable diapers to keep children comfortable and dry. The National Diaper Bank Network statistics reveal:
- One-third of all families in the United States experience Diaper Need.
- Infants need up to 12 diaper changes a day/ or $80 a month. Unable to use food stamps for diapers, babies are often in the same diaper all day, which exposes the child to illness and toxic stress, and the mothers to a higher risk for increased maternal depression.
- Care centers require parents to supply diapers, unable to provide them 3 in 5 parents miss work. “Children in early education are 2.5 times more likely to continue to higher education.” [NDBN]
Diaper Need is a public health issue in America!
Nationally, nonprofits and advocacy centers are working to launch pilot programs to distribute free diapers. Locally, Sister Helen Cole, founder of GUADALUPE FAMILY SERVICES in Camden, is committed to its mission, “Maintaining, strengthening and reconciling the relationships which form the foundation of our community – The Family.”
A few years ago, after listeining to Sr. Helen’s presentation at a conference about this crisis and the work at GUADALUPE, I heard the call, and this is how I answered that call…The Keep ‘Em Dry Ministry.
There are no meetings, no officers, and none of the typical organizational commitments. We only ask you to donate a pack of diapers a month. Drop off at the church or the Parish Center; some Amazon to my front porch (301 3rd Ave, Haddon Hts., NJ 08035) on the 1st of the month. Others send local paper coupons that I use with donated store gift cards.
Keep ‘Em Dry, brings to life the recurring Gospel message to take care of your brother. And for me, it illustrates that it takes a village to make a difference.
For more information on how to make a difference in eliminating the biggest form of child abuse plaguing low-income families, contact Joan Sandell at jsandell@ctkhaddonfield.org. Families in Sister’s program are screened and provide documentation to qualify for services.