Local Diaper Bank distributes diapers, feminine hygiene products, and incontinence supplies to those in need
The Wrapped in Love Diaper Bank (WiL) is a simple idea with a big impact. Created to address a growing need in Yavapai County, WiL supports community members’ health and wellbeing by collecting diapers, feminine hygiene products, and incontinence supplies and distributing them to those in need through partners such as school-based family resource centers, community agencies, and family programs.
For low-income families, a shortage of diapers is not only a public health concern, but also a significant barrier to economic advancement. Parents and caregivers who lack an adequate supply of diapers can’t drop their children off at childcare, which results in missed days at work and school, lost early education opportunities for toddlers, and an increased likelihood of painful rashes and infections. WiL distributes more than 5,000 diapers each month, but the demand is actually much higher as there are more than 1,900 children living in poverty in this county. WiL has also developed potty training kits for distribution to families to support them in transitioning their children to pre-school and kindergarten.
The desperate need for help extends beyond childhood, as more than 25 million adults across the United States suffer from incontinence, a condition often caused by pregnancy, advancing age, or underlying medical conditions. Yavapai County census data shows that there are more than 7,600 elderly individuals living in poverty, many of whom rely on assistance programs for necessities such as meals delivered to their homes. WiL is expanding its services to include individuals who are in these vulnerable circumstances.
WiL also recognizes the challenges faced by institutions in supporting students and women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Yavapai County includes 26 school districts, some of which report student populations with high rates of eligibility for free and reduced lunch programs, some as extreme as 96%. Despite these socioeconomic realities, access to essential menstrual hygiene products remains limited. Therefore, WiL is collaborating with fourteen schools in 2024-25 to create efficient distribution channels for period products, ensuring they are readily available in the nurse’s office or through designated homeless liaisons. This strategic intervention aims to alleviate the financial burden on families while promoting the health and dignity of menstruating individuals within the school community.
An adequate supply of diapers is a basic need that significantly impacts the health of the community and creates a new approach to prevention by keeping individuals warm, dry, and healthy. Diaper drives and bulk purchases ensure there is inventory to meet the current need and expanded need, allowing WiL to enroll new families.
Help us help others by joining in the fall diaper and children’s book drive, Healthy Babies=Happy Families. Find out more at wrappedinlovediaperbank.org.