Diapers Now Available to Families in Need

While 98 percent of Middlesex County households enjoy a median income of nearly $60,000, the remaining 2 percent sit well below the poverty line. This translates to nearly 3,000 babies in Middlesex County who live in families too poor to diaper them properly, leaving their health and well-being seriously at risk.

Diapers can cost families at least $10 a week. Although Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Program are great assistance programs to aid with the feeding of babies and toddlers, the purchase of diapers is not allowed. The outcome? According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, fewer diaper changes results in an increase in diaper rash as well as other health risks.

The AAFP recommendation is to check diapers often, and to change them as soon as they are wet or soiled. Many parents simply lack the resources to buy $40 to $50 worth of diapers per week, and many families have multiple children in diapers.

Until recently, most families in need had nowhere to turn for help.

“We felt strongly about addressing this need in Middlesex County,” says Kevin Wilhelm, Middlesex United Way Executive Director.

Last Tuesday, four agencies received the first of what will be monthly shipments of diapers for distribution to families in Middlesex County: The Maternal & Child Health program at Middlesex Hospital, Even Start at Middletown Adult Education, Early Head Start, and the Family Wellness Center at Community Health Center. In total, the agencies will receive 120,000 diapers each year, enough to assist 200 families.

“Understanding how desperate families are for diapers, Middlesex United Way and the Middlesex Coalition have worked for two years to bring The Diaper Bank’s services to Middlesex County,” says Betsy Morgan, Director of the Middlesex Coalition for Children. “From a few thousand donated diapers a year to 120,000 – that’s progress.”

In 2009, Middlesex United Way and the Middlesex Coalition for Children took action by forming Middlesex County Diaper Committee. Through an annual appeal for donations and a series of diaper drives to spread the word about the need, the collaboration’s goal has been achieved.

Enough money has been raised for Middlesex County to become a service area of The Diaper Bank, located in New Haven. Joining The Diaper Bank required an initial fee of $25,000. The money was raised through donations to an annual Mother’s Day-Father’s Day appeal and a $10,000 contribution from Middlesex United Way.

“This is an exciting moment for The Diaper Bank,” says Executive Director Madeline Ravich. “We are grateful to the Middlesex County Diaper Committee and Middlesex United Way for working so passionately to allow us to serve the families of Middlesex County.”

Contributions are still needed to continue and expand the number of diapers the Greater Middletown area will receive. Donations can be made online at www.thediaperbank.org. Diaper drives are encouraged at schools, local businesses and organizations to stock an emergency diaper bank.  

Donations can be dropped off at Middlesex United Way, 100 Riverview Center, Middletown. For information, call (860) 346-8695.

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