Power of Good Spotlight: Diaper Drive for Dare County

Did you know that the average cost to diaper a child is currently $100/month?

Our First Bank team in Kill Devil Hills is hosting a Diaper Drive in partnership with the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County (CYP). We’re hoping to bring awareness to the rising cost of diapers and the subsequent impact on families with newborns and diaper-aged children.

Because diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps or WIC, families are having to make difficult decisions to account for the additional expense to their budget. In September, the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County provided diapers to 124 families, the highest number served since launching their Diaper Bank service.

Want to get involved?

If you are a Dare County resident, bring unopened packages of diapers to the Kill Devil Hills branch at 2007 South Croatan Hwy. Diapers of all sizes are needed and gladly accepted. You can also support the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County directly. Learn more here.
No matter where you are located, it’s likely there is an organization near you that is accepting diaper donations for local families. Use the National Diaper Bank Network as a starting point to learn more and how to get involved in your community.

What is Diaper Need? CYP provides the following overview:

Diaper need – the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby or child clean, dry, and healthy – is a significant problem in Dare County that has continued to grow as our community continues to feel the effects of COVID and inflation. Right now:

Infants/Toddlers require 8-12 diapers a day, costing nearly $100 a month for families. This is only for one child, so families with multiple young children can see that number double or triple.
Diapers cannot be purchased with food stamps or WIC. While they are able to be purchased with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance, less than a quarter of families living below the Federal Poverty Level actually receive TANF.
One in two American families has difficulty affording diapers at all.
Most childcare programs require parents to provide disposable diapers in order for their infant/toddler to attend.
Nearly 75% of families who reported not being able to provide clean, dry diapers for their child felt that they were not good parents.
Lack of adequate clean diapers can lead to severe diaper rash and excessive crying that, when coupled with the stress of living in need, can lead to child abuse.

[Continue reading on the Children and Youth Partnership for Dare County website]

Thank you to the Children and Youth Partnership of Dare County and all organizations committed to making our communities a better place to live. Visit their website to learn more about their organization:

http://www.darekids.org/

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