DC Diaper Bank

About a year ago, I was on my way to a friend’s house and she asked me to pick up diapers for her because her husband had inadvertently grabbed the wrong size when he went out earlier. I was shocked to see how expensive this essential item was. Now imagine that you’re barely scraping by and have to figure out a way to both feed AND diaper your baby.

DC Diaper Bank was formed in October of 2010 by a group of people on Capitol Hill who realized that diapers are an essential element for all families with young children and that keeping babies in clean diapers is an expensive proposition. “The DC Diaper Bank, modeled after successful diaper banks around the country, provides diapers to social service organizations that are already connected to and helping low-income families through comprehensive programs and services.” From their website:

Diapers may seem like a small thing, but for a baby and a family without access to a supply of clean diapers, it can change their lives.

• Families who are not able to afford an adequate supply of clean diapers often must leave their babies in a single diaper all day, which can result in diaper rash and other detrimental health issues.
• Families receiving food stamps cannot use this assistance to purchase diapers because diapers are considered “hygiene items.”
• The pain that a parent or caregiver feels at not being able to provide clean diapers, a basic necessity, for their infant or toddler adds stress and tension to the already difficult task of parenting.
• Babies exposed to stressful environments for long periods of time are affected negatively both emotionally and physically.
• Excessive crying, often the result of diaper rash or discomfort, is the number one cause of child abuse.

The DC Diaper Bank is having a launch party tonight from 6pm – 9pm at One Lounge (1606 20th Street NW). For a suggested donation of $20, you can learn how you can help get diapers to babies in need in the DC Metro area and participate in raffle drawings throughout the night for several prizes, including high-end baby gear.  If you’d like to attend you can rsvp here.