United Way Community Diaper Drive Kicks Off

United Way’s Denise King, Director of Resource Development delivers diaper collection boxes. Photo providedUnited Way’s Denise King, Director of Resource Development delivers diaper collection boxes. Photo provided

By Holly Juip—

Muncie, IN – United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties is kicking off its first Community Diaper Drive. The Diaper Drive will run through June 4. The Community Diaper Drive is a community-wide donation effort, done in partnership with local businesses and organizations, to stock local baby pantries with diapers for struggling families. This year, the Community Diaper Drive will also take place in Henry, Randolph, Madison and Fayette counties.

Diapers are one of the most expensive ongoing costs for struggling families with young children. And with the continued financial impacts of COVID on many local families, the need for diapers is even greater this year.

A few facts about the need for diapers:

  • 36% of parents living in poverty routinely run out of diapers for their infants and toddlers.
  • Babies who remain in dirty diapers for prolonged periods experience diaper rash, infections, and other health problems.
  • Diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps.
  • Disposable diapers cost $70 to $80 per month per baby.
  • No state or federal child safety-net program allocates dollars specifically for the purchase of diapers.
  • Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, toddlers about 8.

Local businesses and organizations partner with United Way in the Diaper Drive by hosting collection boxes at their locations. Some host internal drives among employees and others serve as public collection sites where anyone can stop by and drop off their diaper donations.

Individuals wishing to donate, can drop their diapers at one the following public collection sites:

  • First Merchants Bank – Muncie locations
  • Horizon Convention Center
  • Ivy Tech Community College – 345 S High St.
  • Muncie Public Library branches
  • STAR Financial Bank
  • United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties

For a full list of donation sites or to make a donation online via United Way’s Amazon Diaper Drive Wish List visit www.InvitedToLiveUnited.org/diaper.

All diapers collected will be distributed through local partner organizations. Anyone with questions can contact 765-288-5586 for more information.

 

About United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties

United Way of Delaware, Henry and Randolph Counties focuses resources on education, health and financial stability. The non-profit fights to create lasting change in community conditions. With its bold goal to reach grade-level reading by 2024, United Way works to help children read at or above grade level by the end of their third-grade year. Learn more at InvitedToLiveUnited.org.