LIVERPOOL, N.Y. – The CNY Diaper Bank is marking its 10th year supporting Diaper Need Awareness Week. From Sept. 15-21, the nonprofit is inviting local businesses and community members to join the movement to end diaper need, a critical issue in Central New York.
From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, monetary donations to the CNY Diaper Bank will be doubled thanks to a generous matching grant up to $10,000.
Launched in 2012, National Diaper Need Awareness Week aims to bring attention to a growing issue impacting U.S. families. It turned local in 2016, when the city of Syracuse and the CNY Diaper Bank began designating one week every September as Diaper Need Awareness Week.
With Syracuse now facing one of the highest child poverty rates in the nation, New York’s largest diaper bank is hoping to make a bigger difference than ever this year.
“Diaper need is something most people don’t think about until they’ve lived it,” CNY Diaper Bank founder Michela Hugo said.
“In Syracuse, we see parents every day who are doing everything they can but still don’t have enough diapers to keep their babies clean and healthy,” she continued. “It’s a heartbreaking situation that can contribute to the larger cycle of poverty. During Diaper Need Awareness Week, we’re asking our community to help more families meet their most basic needs.”
Since its founding, the CNY Diaper Bank has distributed over eight million diapers to those in need. This September, Hugo hopes to continue to grow that number. The community can support Diaper Need Awareness Week by:
– making a monetary donation at cnydiaperbank.org. The CNY Diaper Bank uses donations to purchase diapers in bulk at an average cost of just 13 cents per diaper compared to more than 25-35 cents at retail price. Donations from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 will be doubled up to $10,000 thanks to a matching grant.
– donating diapers and other supplies at designated collection points. To view a complete list of drop-off locations, visit cnydiaperbank.org/donate-diapers. For the lowest price on diapers, individuals can shop Walmart’s Registry for Good. Diapers purchased online through the registry will be delivered directly to the CNY Diaper Bank.
– Hosting a diaper drive at their workplace, church or school or in their own neighborhood. Contact info@cnydiaperbank.org for a personalized flyer and fundraising link for maximum success.
Businesses can also support Diaper Need Awareness Week by hosting an employer match campaign, agreeing to match employee donations to the CNY Diaper Bank for the month.
The CNY Diaper Bank, a volunteer-run nonprofit, was founded in May 2016 after Hugo learned that agencies in the area were forced to turn away families in need of diapers. Hugo used the support and guidance of the National Diaper Bank Network to start a diaper bank in Syracuse.
Though diapers are an essential need for babies, they are not covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or by Women, Infants and Children benefits. Since an adequate supply of diapers for a single child can cost $100 per month, diapers become an expense many families cannot afford.
“Many families in Syracuse struggle just to provide diapers — a basic need no child should go without,” Hugo said. “During Diaper Need Awareness Week, we all have an opportunity to help change that, from the bottom up.”
For more information about the CNY Diaper Bank and Diaper Need Awareness Week, please visit cnydiaperbank.org.
