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The National Diaper Bank Network: Non-Profit of the Month

By Alison Wenger September 1, 2015
Did you know one in three American families report struggling with diaper need? Joanne Goldblum, a former social worker in Connecticut, found statistics like this staggering, and decided to take action.

Diaper Need Awareness Week, set for September 28 – October 4, celebrates its fourth anniversary of drawing attention to diaper need and encouraging individuals and businesses to help provide diapers to babies and toddlers who need them. The event is organized by the National Diaper Bank Network, which Goldblum founded and now serves as chief executive officer after leaving her social work position.


Joanne Goldblum, Executive Director and Founder of the National Diaper Bank Network

The National Diaper Bank Network serves three primary purposes: to give a national voice to this critical need; to provide guidance and best practices to the more than 250 diaper banks across the country; and to manage donations of diapers and dollars on a national scale.

“For families in poverty, it’s an everyday struggle for something as basic as a diaper,” said Goldblum. “We all want the best for our children, and for a parent to have to leave their child in a dirty diaper is a horrible position for a mother to be in.”

Diaper need is more common than you think. Just look at these statistics from the National Diaper Bank Network.
  • 5.3 million children in the U.S. aged three or younger live in poor or low-income families.
  • 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.
  • Without transportation, buying diapers at a convenience store rather than a large “big box” store can significantly increase the monthly cost of diapers.
  • Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, toddlers about 8.

Everyone can get involved with Diaper Need Awareness Week, whether it’s by donating diapers, lending financial support, or raising awareness on social media and with community events.

Donate to a Diaper Bank

Diaper banks collect, store and distribute free disposable and cloth diapers to families experiencing financial hardship. They rely on local diaper drives, in-kind donations by manufacturers and retailers, and bulk purchases of diapers with donated funds.

A directory of local diaper banks can be found online at www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org.

Host a Diaper Drive

Make an impact in your community by holding a diaper drive to benefit a local diaper bank or agency. The DiaperNeed.org website features a guide on how to hold a diaper drive.

Use #DiaperNeed in Social Media

Fans of social media—Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and other social platforms—can share experiences and raise online awareness of diaper need by using the hashtag #DiaperNeed. 

Follow the National Diaper Bank Network on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information on the work of the National Diaper Bank Network, visit www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org.