Provided/Checking in diapers and baby supplies for the Community FoodBank of New Jersey's Great Big Diaper Drive are, from left, volunteer Jane Roesch of Galloway Township and employee Michele Crossen of Egg Harbor Twp.
To address diaper need throughout the state, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey will hold its inaugural #GreatBigDiaperDrive in honor of National Diaper Need Awareness Week, Sept. 27 - Oct. 3. Leading the campaign are CFBNJ's Emerging Leaders Board and Women Fighting Hunger.
In partnership with community organizations, corporate supporters, and caring individuals, CFBNJ will collect diapers, hygiene supplies and cash donations to help the one in three families who struggle to afford diapers and must often choose between diapers and other necessities.
The diaper gap is real, and families struggling to afford food often lack access to essential hygiene supplies, too, said FoodBank President and CEO Carlos Rodriguez said. Diapers are not covered by most federally funded public assistance programs, such as SNAP or WIC, because they are not food items. No parent should have to make the impossible choice between food and diapers for their child.
Most needed items for the drive include diapers in all sizes, especially sizes 4-6, as well as adult diapers, baby wipes and baby cream. All items must be new and in original packaging.
Residents of Atlantic, Cape May and Cumberland counties may donate diapers, baby wipes or baby cream at the following sites:
Cash gifts are valuable because with every $1 donated, CFBNJ can provide six diapers to families in need, Rodriguez added. Babies require up to 12 diapers per day, which adds up to $70-$80 per month per child a cost many struggling families simply cannot afford.
For more information on how to support #GreatBigDiaperDrive, visit cfbnj.org/gbdd.
Since 2014, CFBNJ has been a member of the National Diaper Bank and distributes diapers to more than 100 community partners annually throughout the state, an effort it hopes to expand by making #GreatBigDiaperDrive an annual affair.
In the coming year, CFBNJ's ongoing diaper and hygiene initiatives aim to distribute over 13.2 million diapers and 8.6 million menstrual supplies, which will be made possible by the generous #GreatBigDiaperDrive donations, as well as leadership gifts from the New Jersey Pandemic Relief Fund, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Greater Newark Health Care Coalition, The Melchiorre Family, Jewish Women's Foundation, and The Nicole and David Tepper Foundation.
CFBNJ's Women Fighting Hunger will also host an informative virtual lunch and learn 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28 about diaper need. A panel of local thought leaders will share their insights about this important and often hidden public health issue. Registration for the event is available at cfbnj.org/gbdd.
