Debbie MacKenzie

1 in 2 families in America struggle to afford diapers for their children. The Village Diaper Bank partners with local service organizations to provide free diapers to disadvantaged families while raising awareness of the basic health need for diapers. Our mission is to eradicate diaper need in the greater Dane County area to improve the physical, mental and emotional health of families in our communities. Many Americans who have not struggled with diaper need do not know the problem exists. They may also be surprised to learn that funds received under federal programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps) and the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) cannot be spent on diapers. The Dane County Diaper Bank will address diaper need at a local level by helping to remove one of the largest stressors facing families already ensnared in economic distress. In our pilot program, we will work with families enrolled in the home-based Early Head Start program run by Reach Dane. Thirty families will receive an allowance of diapers each month, with more to be added as we’re able to scale. Through the provision of a reliable form of diaper assistance, parents will have more time to focus on their families, most notably the health and development of their young children. Young children in need of diapering supplies will also be able to avoid the harmful physical and emotional ramifications of being left in a soiled diaper too long, which can also lead to less missed work or school for parents & caregivers, decreased doctors’ visits, and less spent out of pocket on medical treatment and/or prescriptions. All of these improvements lead to happier, healthier children & families. Want to show your support? Consider making a donation through our website, adding us to your corporate giving program, or purchasing items from our Amazon Wishlist: http://bit.ly/danediapers.