Parenting People – Providing Diapers to Children in Need

In 2016, the Junior League of Birmingham became aware of the great need for diapers for children whose parents could not afford them.

That first month of the league’s pilot diaper bank program, just from word-of-mouth collections, the league was able to distribute more than 33,000 disposable diapers to agencies that work directly with those in need.

“The need is so great,” says Elizabeth Burgess, league president. “Day cares either require a child be potty trained, and if not, parents must provide disposable diapers, and not having that many times means parents cannot go to work or school.”

Nearly a third of children in Alabama under age 3 live in families with incomes below the federal poverty threshold, and diapers are not covered by government assistance programs such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) and WIC (Women, Infants and Children). About 26 percent of Alabama WIC funding recipients are infants. About a third of Alabama children are likely to benefit from diaper donations, which is in line with the national average.

“I don’t think many people realize the huge need,” Burgess adds. “It really affects people’s lives more than just the child’s physical needs.”

Today, the league distributes about 100,000 diapers a month to 233 organizations across the area through a partnership with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, which stores the diapers and vets the organizations that can participate. Considering that a baby can require 10 to 12 diapers a day on average, that represents a lot of diapers.

The program also helps with immediate community needs. Recently, the league distributed diapers for area families impacted by the federal government shutdown, Burgess says.

“The need is so great,” says Elizabeth Burgess, league president. “Day cares either require a child be potty trained, and if not, parents must provide disposable diapers, and not having that many times means parents cannot go to work or school.”

There are many ways to help. The league has a large annual diaper/fundraising drive in the fall, and there are “pop-up” diaper drives throughout the year at businesses and other locations, Burgess says. Last fall’s drive raised more than 14,000 diapers from public donations and drop-offs.

“We take all sizes. If you have disposable diapers at home that you may have bought in bulk that you are no longer using for your child, or the child has grown out of them, we will take the opened package of the remaining diapers,” Burgess says. “We will take individual diapers, and we will take baby wipes as well.”

Those who wish to donate diapers can take them to the Junior League’s offices at 2212 20^th Ave. South in Birmingham, or go on the group’s website at https://www.jlbonline.com/diaper-bank to find out how to make a donation toward diapers.

Money donations helps the league purchase diapers in bulk, to save money and to provide more diapers. “We want to increase our funding pipeline, because the cost to buy diapers in bulk has increased, as well as freight,” Burgess says.

Right now, the diaper bank is attempting to determine the diaper sizes most needed for different programs, such as JCCEO’s Head Start, Burgess says. “We want to help provide that service, along with other daily essentials,” she says.

The Junior League of Birmingham, a volunteer agency of about 2,300 women, offers several programs to help the community and develop women’s potential, from education and financial stability, to health and nutrition. For more information on the group’s programs and mission, go to http://www.jlbonline.com.

Lori Pruitt is associate editor of Birmingham Parent.