Living a Legacy of Service: National Diaper Need Awareness Week
- Sep 27, 2021
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 24, 2023
This month was dedicated to sharing my passion for serving others, and I'm so incredibly excited to conclude this series by holding a virtual diaper drive in honor of National Diaper Need Awareness Week! Read more to learn what provoked me to coordinate this fundraiser and how you can get involved.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been such a disastrous catastrophe around the world. This public health crisis created an economic slowdown which exposed injustices within our systems. One of them is the lack of care for the citizens that are struggling. Millions of people lost their jobs as a result of the pandemic and they could no longer afford their everyday essentials. What was once easily attainable had become inaccessible. Without adequate funding, people faced eviction, hunger, and poverty. The stimulus checks were somewhat helpful, but not enough to sustain. There are so many people who do not have the resources to cover their basic necessities. Basic human needs also include diapers which is something that is typically overlooked.
God has called us to serve others and bring His light to them. It is with great insight we can look for ways to be a witness in the midst of darkness brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. I was inspired to host a virtual diaper drive because of a thread I came across on Twitter. An user posted screenshots of the severe hardships people were facing due to the pandemic. Every single post was absolutely deplorable. There was one post in particular that struck me deeply. A woman shared how she was torn between paying her utility bill and buying diapers for her child. No parent should have to make such a dire decision of choosing what basic necessity to go without. Reading through all of those posts broke my heart and infuriated me at the same time to see the plethora of people that were struggling. This is not how things should be in a country that is so developed with infinite resources. Something had to be done. I made it my mission to research local diaper banks in my area and contribute to their causes. This was a start, but I wanted to do more which led me to host this virtual diaper drive.
Statistics
Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy. Since prices have risen, those who are struggling have experienced increased challenges, particularly women and especially moms. Did you know 1 in 3 U.S. families experience diaper need? These statistics show how insufficiency impacts U.S. families.
48% borrow money from family/friends
40% keep their child diaperless
39% stretch diaper use by keeping a child in a diaper longer
30% get diapers from a diaper bank or charity
If these needs aren’t met, then serious consequences will occur. Examples are:
Babies who remain in a soiled diaper too long are exposed to potential health risks such as skin infections, urinary tract infection, discomfort, or pain.
Diaper need can impact the mental well-being of children and their families. Children become irritable and fussy, which can lead to maternal frustration, guilt, and embarrassment.
Most childcare centers require parents to provide a day's supply of disposable diapers; therefore, many parents cannot go to work or school if they can't leave their babies at a child care center.
About The Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida
The Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that was formed as an effort to streamline the collection and distribution of diapers to low-income families across Northeast Florida while also raising awareness that basic human needs include diapers.
With diapers and financial contributions from the community, their goal is to build a sustainable diaper bank that will serve as a resource for existing social service organizations and their clients who experience diaper need. Through these collaborative partnerships, low-income families across Northeast Florida will gain access to an adequate supply of diapers and diaper-related products. By working with organizations that are already well established in the community, it is with great surety that the diapers collected are distributed in the most efficient and timely manner.
Meet the Founder
Crystal Parks founded the Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida in October 2019 after learning about the critical issue of diaper need from the National Diaper Bank Network. Crystal was shocked to learn that WIC and SNAP benefits could not be used to purchase diapers. Being a mom of a toddler, Crystal understands the importance of keeping a baby clean, dry, and healthy. She never once thought of diapers being the one basic need that many parents struggle to buy. Reading articles about the number of families that reuse dirty diapers left Crystal wondering how she could help ease the burden for families struggling with diaper need in her own community. After searching online for a local diaper bank and realizing there were none...Crystal decided to start one herself!
Noteworthy News
New Jacksonville nonprofit tackling low-income families’ ‘serious’ diaper need
Jacksonville organization supports families in need with diaper giveaways
Diaper price increases are giving poor parents one more thing to worry about. Here's how to help.
Mayor Lenny Curry presented the Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida with a proclamation in support of National Diaper Need Awareness Week. The proclamation encourages all Jacksonville citizens to recognize and support the vital work done by the diaper bank and volunteers as well as other organizations to address diaper need in our community.
The founder of the Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida was also named a 2021 Eve Award Finalist. The Florida Times-Union started the Eve Awards in 1969 to honor women within North Florida and South Georgia whose contributions and efforts made lasting improvements within their community. Congratulations, Crystal!!
Addressing Diaper Need
Although the pandemic is still ongoing, we have the ability to make a huge impact in our community right where God has us. The demand for diapers is steadily increasing and its urgency is great. Here are a few ways to help alleviate diaper need in Northeast Florida:
One method of donating to my virtual diaper drive is by using the secure peer-to-peer fundraising platform to give online. The money that is raised will turn dollars into diapers for babies in need. https://secure.givelively.org//donate/diaper-bank-for-northeast-florida/dollars-for-diapers-peer-to-peer-fundraising/kiala-pigott-1
You can donate diapers, Pull-Ups, and baby wipes from their Amazon Wishlist. The most requested items are sizes newborn, five, and six of diapers and all sizes of Pull-Ups. Items purchased from this list will be shipped directly to the organization. Click here to view the list.
The Diaper Bank for Northeast Florida accepts diapers and Pull-Ups (unopened and opened packages) as well as unopened packages of baby wipes. Very gently used cloth diapers are also being accepted. Items can be brought to these community drop-off locations.
The diaper bank will not distribute directly to individuals or families. Click here to find a partner agency.
Did you know many companies will match donations made by their employees, employees' spouses and/or retirees within the past year? What better way to increase awareness about diaper need and double your donation than to ask your employer about a matching gift!
"I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" -Acts 20:35. I pray my legacy of servanthood encourages you to contribute to such a great cause. Any donation large or small can have a lasting impact on hundreds of local families and their children. Together, we can wipe out diaper need in Northeast Florida. Let’s go!!!
Written with grace,
Kiala
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior? If not, say this prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus,
Come into my life. I accept You as my Lord and personal Savior. I believe in my heart that You died and rose from the dead to save me. Thank You, Lord, for saving me in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, then congratulations! All of your sins are now forgiven and you have been born again. Heaven is rejoicing!
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