Local Groups to Distribute Diapers to Families in Need

Eastside Baby Corner and WestSide Baby have teamed up to bring 2 million diapers to families in need in King County over the next two years through a pilot program called Side by Side NW.

The diapers are given by Kimberly-Clark/Huggies through the National Diaper Bank Network; we are serving as a distribution center for these diapers, just as they have for the diapers usually donated by the community or purchased by the organizations. Through the program, the organizations can buy diapers for 2 cents each or less--instead of the usual 22 cents to 25 cents per diaper.  

The Side by Side partnership officially launched the week of May 5 and has received its first shipment of diapers. It’s one of only six such diaper bank affiliates in the country. 

Side by Side says the benefit is significant, as diaper need continues to grow with over 10,000* children under three living in poverty in King County, forcing many families to choose between buying diapers and paying bills as diapers are not covered by any government aid program, including food stamps and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programs. 

Struggling parents with children in daycare cannot go to work or school when diapers average approximately $100 per month per diapered child and a daily supply of diapers is often required to drop children off at daycare. Having to make these difficult choices adds stress for families, impacts infant and community health and can easily increase the risk of abuse when children need a diaper change and cry. One local social service provider said, “We serve teen moms and buying diapers when they have little to no income sometimes means that they can’t buy food.” 

“Poverty is a serious and growing problem in King County.  We have families that wrap their babies in newspapers or wash cloths as diaper substitutes in order to use their scarce monetary resources to pay for other basic needs.  The Side by Side program focuses on filling this gap, not only getting the diapers to these disadvantaged children, but also the very basic necessities so the parents can focus on getting back on other feet,” said Renee Zimmerman, Eastside Baby Corner  Executive Director.

Diapers are just one need for families living in poverty. WestSide Baby and Eastside Baby Corner aim to meet other needs by collecting and distributing essential items to children, free of charge, through approved social service providers throughout King County. 

“Our agencies are filling the gap for essential items for more than 700 King County children every week.  We hope this will be a catalyst to allow us to serve even more children with basics such as car seats, portable cribs and clothing.  Together, we can do even more,” said  Nancy Woodland,  WestSide Baby Executive Director. 

These two organizations collectively distributed over $5.4 million in children’s essentials such as clothing, car seats, formula and equipment last year and will continue to expand their efforts throughout this two year pilot program, reaching more children and families throughout King County.

For more information:www.westsidebaby.org -- (206) 686-3228, 10032 15th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98146.www.babycorner.org – (425) 865-0234, PO Box 712, Issaquah, WA 98027