Summary

Parents know, when a child needs a clean diaper, they need a clean diaper. But for too many children in King County and across the nation, their parents can’t always afford to keep up.

Story

 
Left to right, Councilmember Reagan Dunn, Councilmember Larry Gossett, Councilmember Kathy Lambert, Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove, Eastside Baby Corner Executive Director Jack Edgerton, Councilmember Rod Dembowksi, WestSide Baby Executive Director Nancy Woodland, Councilmember Claudia Balducci, Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Councilmember Joe McDermott, and WestSide Baby staff members.

Parents know, when a child needs a clean diaper, they need a clean diaper. But for too many children in King County and across the nation, their parents can’t always afford to keep up.

It’s with that in mind that the King County Council on Wednesday approved a proclamation in support of Diaper Need Awareness Week, which runs from Sept. 23-29 this year.

“Each year I am delighted to recognize Diaper Need Awareness Week,” said King County Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “Both Eastside Baby Corner and WestSide Baby do such great work to help families all across the County by providing them with diapers and other needed supplies. Their work goes a long way to helping babies be healthy and happy while also supporting families financially. Of those parents who are affected by diaper need, three out of five miss work or school because they don’t have sufficient diapers to send their child to daycare. I very much respect these organizations for their dedication in meeting many needs in our community.”

Children may go through as many as 12 diapers in a single day, and yet in King County, 23% of children live in families that can’t afford enough diapers. Nationally, one in three families struggles to keep up with their children’s diaper needs.

“Access to an adequate supply of diapers is vital to the health of young children, yet many families in King County struggle to provide for their young children every day,” said King County Councilmember Joe McDermott. “Once again this year, I am proud to proclaim Diaper Need Awareness Week to bring attention to the problem and highlight the incredible work being done by organizations like WestSide Baby and Eastside Baby Corner to help families in need.”

Organized nationally by the National Diaper Bank Network and sponsored locally by Eastside Baby Corner and WestSide Baby, the weeklong awareness campaign aims to spotlight the need to support organizations that provide diapers to those families who can’t afford enough on their own. Additionally, Eastside Baby Corner and WestSide Baby have organized a monthlong diaper drive through the month of September.

Parents can’t use food stamps or WIC benefits to purchase diapers, and many childcare programs require that parents provide their own diapers. Meanwhile, to meet a baby’s needs, parents might spend as much as $80 a month on diapers – a major cost for a family living at or below the federal poverty line of $25,100 for a family of four – while King County has no government assistance programs for this particular need.

“The desperate need of families in King County and beyond is why WestSide Baby collaborates year-round with partners, like our local government, to educate ourselves and each other about the importance of families and young children having the basics they need to be healthy, happy and resilient,” said Nancy Woodland, executive director of WestSide Baby. “When families are choosing between spending money on healthy food and groceries or keeping their child from remaining in a wet diaper longer than necessary, we know we have to do better in our community. Special thanks to our elected officials who are working hard to end #DiaperNeed by promoting Diaper Need Awareness Week and collecting diapers for WestSide Baby!”

Eastside Baby Corner and WestSide Baby provide diapers, clothing, safety equipment, toys, books, and more to children in need throughout King County. In 2017, WestSide Baby distributed 1.4 million diapers.

“Thank you to the Council for acknowledging diaper need as a barrier to work or school for local families,” said Jack Edgerton, executive director of Eastside Baby Corner. “The lack of a sufficient supply of diapers for home and daycare puts babies at risk of infection and other issues. It also creates one more hoop for families to jump through as they work to build on their own strengths, develop their core capabilities and resiliency. With basic needs – like diapers – met, caregivers are better able to ensure the health and well-being of their children. The work of our elected officials to end diaper need is reducing the effects of income and community inequities – the key to stronger, healthier community for all.”