SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Nearly half of U.S. Families with young children struggle to afford diapers. A challenge that can have serious effects on kids. Saint Joseph's Center is addressing this need by joining the National Diaper Need Awareness Week.
28/22 News reporter Colby Hughes stopped by and learned why this event is so important.
Last year, Saint Joseph's Baby and Children's Pantry distributed nearly 120,000 items to thousands of local families. They're hoping to surpass that this year.
"When you can see a smile on their face and help them just get an extra pack of diapers to help their kid go to daycare, or they're able to pay another bill because we're able to help them with diapers and wipes. It's a great thing," Baby and Children's Pantry Outreach Coordinator Loren Schab expressed.
Saint Joseph's Center has been partnering with the National Diaper Bank Network for 10 years.
This year, volunteers and organizers are hosting a new event with the hopes of having a bigger impact during National Diaper Need Awareness Week.
"This is the first time we're doing a 'Fill the Van' event in conjunction with that. Really, the whole week is about raising awareness to the high cost of diapers and the responsibility that parents have to be able to provide those to their children," Saint Joseph's Center President and CEO Sister Maryalice Jacquinot explained.
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Anyone looking to donate can come to the Saint Joseph's Center's Blakely Street campus and pull their car up so volunteers can get the items right out of their trunk.
"So if you pull up with diapers in your car, one of our guest volunteers, they're people from the local community who are noteworthy, who care about the diaper need, and the baby and children's pantry, they've shown their commitment in many ways, and so we've asked them to sort of fulfill that role as a guest volunteer," Sister Jacquinot stated.
Organizers are hopeful that they will see a lot of donations by the end of the week.
"We do get a great turnout of our community. Once they hear that we're in need of something, they come out, they support, and give us anything they can offer to help," Schab commented.
"We're very fortunate in northeastern and central Pennsylvania to benefit from great generosity. You know, we still experience neighbors concerned for others. So, who might donate? It might be someone who says, 'I can afford to buy diapers for my children, so I'm going to go ahead and give to others,'" said Sister Jacquinot.
Saint Joseph's Center accepts gently used children's clothing throughout the week to help ensure every child has the essentials needed to grow and thrive.
