FBC Weekday Preschool collects diapers for Capital Diaper Bank

The First Baptist Church Weekday Preschool Ministry is collecting packages of new diapers for the Capital Diaper Bank during the month of February. You may participate by bringing new and unopened packages of diapers and placing them in the collection bin in the Preschool Welcome Area off the main hallway.

Did You Know That:

• A 2009 Poverty Reduction Task Force Report found that in 2008, one in seven Virginia children lived in households below the poverty line.  2000 census data shows 13% of metro Richmond children living in poverty.

• Resources for free or discounted diapers are few--Safety-net programs such as food stamps and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers, and diaper manufacturers almost never donate diapers, even to crisis nurseries and shelters. 

• Most licensed daycare centers do not accept cloth diapers and require parents to leave enough diapers for their children each day.   Most coin-operated laundromats do not allow customers to wash cloth diapers for health and sanitary reasons.

The Impact:

A shortage of diapers can have serious impact on the wellbeing of those in need.  Parents without sufficient resources often allow children to wear diapers for too long or try to clean and reuse disposable diapers, putting children at risk for staph and other serious health infections.  The likelihood of abuse increases when a baby is in a household facing the stresses of poverty and increases even more when that baby cries due to a soiled diaper and resultant health issues.

Low-income families cannot take advantage of free or subsidized childcare if they cannot afford enough diapers to cover their children while there.  This shocking circumstance means that these parents are less able to attend work or school on a consistent basis, which in turn leads to increased economic instability and a continuation of the cycle of poverty.

A Solution:

Capital Diaper Bank, a 501(c)3 organization, was created in the Fall of 2010 in response to the lack of public assistance for purchasing diapers for poor and low-income families.  Recognizing that an inadequate supply of diapers puts families with young children at an increased risk for health and parenting complications, Capital Diaper Bank distributes diapers to poor and low-income families in the Greater Richmond Metro area through approved social service member agencies.

Modeled on successful regional food banks, Capital Diaper Bank collects diapers and cash donations for bulk purchases of diapers.  The diapers are then distributed through member agencies--local non-profit organizations, which serve low-income and needy families. 

PLEASE HELP CHILDREN IN NEED BY DONATING DIAPERS TO THE CAPITAL DIAPER BANK!

(all diapers need to be new and in unopened packages)