Diaper Data
“49% of low-income parents struggle to afford diapers ”
In Berkshire County, 3,000 children qualify for one of three WIC* Programs (Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington) and dietary insufficiency usually goes along with diaper need.
Families for whom seasonal employment may drop off, or who may incur a large financial setback (i.e. car repairs, medical bills) may be temporarily unable to afford diapers.
Diaper need has been correlated with significant depression in parents, and with potential physical health and mental health issues for their children.
The BCDP has established multiple liaisons with community organizations to reach Berkshire families who are in need of this support.
We also educate community members about this generally hidden dilemma: parents who cannot afford diapers are often too ashamed to let anyone know about their difficulty.
FAQs
-
No, we don’t because “cloth diapers are not a practical solution for most low-income families,” says Joanne Goldblum, founder of the National Diaper Bank. Most child-care centers won’t admit children who wear cloth diapers.
Most low-income families use laundromats and it's not legal to wash diapers in laundromats because the water doesn't get hot enough to sterilize them.
-
Yes, diapers are available for all those in need of diapers
-
It’s easy! Click here to email Terry Cooper.
-
Yes! We welcome all diaper drives. You can contact us and we will guide you through the process.
Click here to email Terry Cooper.
-
No, we don’t.
-
Yes, we offer wipes.
