NORTHAMPTON — Since 2015, United Way of Hampshire County has collected approximately 75,000 diapers for families in need. This year, the organization hopes to donate another 25,000 diapers and 25,000 wipes by Aug. 29.
The drive, which started on Aug. 1, marks the fourth annual occurrence of United Way’s diaper drive.
Diaper need is a pressing, but often overlooked, issue in the community, said John D. Bidwell, executive director of United Way of Hampshire County.
“When you have a child in diapers, it’s a never-ending need for at least a couple years,” Bidwell said, noting that, even as a parent, he did not realize the severity of the issue for some families.
According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in three American families has struggled with diaper need. With infants and toddlers needing 8 to 12 diapers per day, families can spend $70 to $80 per month on diapers for just one baby; in households with more than one infant, this price multiplies.
The high cost of diapers can sometimes force parents to make difficult decisions, such as forgoing necessities like food and rent, Bidwell said. Even day cares often require parents to provide their own diapers, limiting a parent’s ability to work or attend school if they cannot supply enough diapers.
“You have some hard choices to make,” Bidwell said. “Do I put food on the table, or do I buy diapers? Do I have enough diapers to send my child to day care?”
Bidwell added that people often hold misconceptions regarding diaper need assistance, assuming that families in need will receive government support. However, programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and WIC do not cover the cost of diapers. Meanwhile, parents who struggle with diaper need may feel embarrassed to speak out.
In addition to placing a financial burden on parents, limited access to diapers can also endanger a child’s health; leaving a child in a dirty diaper for extended periods of time can lead to discomfort, rashes and infection.
All diapers and wipes collected in the drive will be donated to the following partner agencies: Amherst Survival Center, Easthampton Community Center, Northampton Survival Center (Northampton and Goshen locations), It Takes a Village and Jubilee Cupboard at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ware.
Drop-off locations can be found in locations throughout Hampshire county, including the Amherst Survival Center, Northampton Survival Center, and Big Ys of Northampton, Southampton, Amherst, Ware and South Hadley. For a full list of drop-off locations, visit https://www.uwhampshire.org/diapers.
Jacquelyn Voghel can be reached at jvoghel@gazettenet.com.