What is diaper need?
The topic of diaper need is a tricky subject. Every baby needs diapers and every family does what they have to do to provide them. Families experiencing diaper need can be hard to relate to for many. How can they not afford diapers when disposables are so cheap? The answer is not always cut and dry. Diaper need can affect families in many ways, in this post from my archives you can read about how my #diaperneed led me to cloth diapers. Diaper need can lead to bills going unpaid, less money to spend on necessary groceries and essentials for the rest of the family, gas for the family car (if they have one) and most importantly it can result in families trying to get the most use possible out of a package of disposables which means babies are being left in soiled diapers much longer than desired.
Cloth diapers are often written off as an unrealistic solution for low-income families experiencing diaper need, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
A diaper consists of a waterproof outer and absorbent inner. While mainstream cloth diapers can be purchased for use, diapers can also be fashioned from old t-shirts, flour sack towels, fleece or wool sweaters and other repurposed materials. Most families, low-income or not, still have access to washing machines, so cloth IS a viable option we just need help getting the word out. Cloth is not costly or complicated and hand washing cloth diapers can take place in the bathtub for families in an absolute pinch.
Diaper Need Awareness Week
If you’re not already familiar the subject of diaper need or with GDGH here are some great facts you should know!
Diaper Need Facts:
- GDGH opened in 2011 as a local diaper bank assisting families in the Gloucester MA area. Shortly after they opened all national diaper banks ceased operations and GDGH opened applications to the entire US to fill the void.
- Over 1,000 families have received cloth diaper loans since 2011. 500 families were helped in 2014 alone!
- Each family receives about 16 diaper changes worth of cloth diapers for 1 child or more if they have 2+ in diapers. If GDGH has wipes or wet bags they will include them in the packages.
- Families pay a small fee for shipping- currently $20. This covers shipping TO them and return shipping of the loaner diapers when they’re finished with them.
GDGH Facts
- GDGH collects diapers by having donations shipped to a distribution center- currently GroVia takes care of the sorting and shipping. They accept gently used diapers of all styles. Please check the donation page to see which brands they can accept for distribution. Givingdiapersigivinghope.org/donate
- GDGH helps over 30 families each month on average, this amounts to over 500 changes worth of cloth diapers per month and over 40 babies! (2015 numbers)
- 80.5% of funds raised are used to DIRECTLY assist families by either paying for shipping costs or buying diapers to distribute.
- GDGH is an all volunteer organization. The administrative consists of Kim Rosas of Dirty Diaper Laundry and Maria Moser of Chage-Diapers. GroVia currently handles all shipping duties.
Diaper Need Awareness Week begins September 28th and will be kicked off with the world’s first ever Periscopathon to benefit Giving Diapers Giving Hope. Throughout the day cloth diaper bloggers, brands and friends of the industry will be on Periscope talking about diaper need and raising funds for Giving Diapers Giving Hope. There are TONS of prizes and donations from sponsors that will be unlocked as the donation amount rises. I’ll be on Periscope at 2pm EST and I hope you’ll join me!
Click here to RSVP for our Periscopathon event on Facebook and be sure to follow all the participants on Periscope so you’ll be notified when they’re LIVE!
I’m Julie, a former cloth diaper retailer who discovered a passion for the industry. Now, instead of selling cloth diapers, I advocate them and promote small businesses I love who sell and manufacture them.
I’m the wife of a fireman and mother of three. I have a daughter and identical twin sons.
