When you’re running low on diapers, you probably go online and place a bulk order to be delivered to your doorstep in hours, at a lower cost than what you would have paid at your local supermarket or pharmacy. However, for the nearly 1 in 3 American families struggling to afford enough diapers, the conveniences just aren’t a reality. Families who don’t have a smartphone or internet access spend twice as much on diapers as families who have access to bulk-buying options, and can feel pressure stretch their diaper resources and reuse disposable diapers, leading to health problems and stress on babies and caregivers.
On Thursday the White House launched the Community Diaper Program to address this diaper gap. In partnership with the ecommerce company Jet and First Quality (which produces Cuties brand diapers), the Community Diaper Program will allow any nonprofit to purchase diapers at 25 percent off the current available price, with no minimum order and 48-hour shipping, allowing more nonprofits to provide diapers to the low-income families who need them.
Other diaper companies have joined in the effort. Yesterday, Huggies announced that they will donate an additional 2 million diapers to the National Diaper Bank Network and will match any public donations (up to 1 million diapers) from now until April 10. The Honest Company will also donate up to 1 million of their diapers to Baby2Baby, among other nonprofit organizations.
Here’s how you can help close the diaper gap:
- Donate to local organizations that are members of the National Diaper Bank Network such as Baby Buggy NY, Homes for the Homeless, NYC Mamas Give Back, and The Resource Center for Community Development
- Donate diapers through Huggies’ matching program
- Make a direct donation to the National Diaper Bank Network
To learn more about the diaper divide and how to get involved, visit whitehouse.gov and read the full announcement on at medium.com!
