<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2R12w1_0vj9N9xc00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2R12w1_0vj9N9xc00" width="750" height="563" ><figcaption>The 2023 community-wide diaper drive yielded 26,000 diapers and supplies along with cash donations. In this September 2023 photo, Mayor Salamun and Volunteers of America/Mommy's Closet officials pose with some of the donated supplies.</figcaption></figure>COMMUNITY DIAPER DRIVE SEVERAL CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICES SERVING AS COLLECTION POINTS FOR CITYWIDE DIAPER DRIVE**Mayor declares Sept. 23-30as Diaper Need Awareness WeekRAPID CITY, SD—The average child will use approximately 2,500 to 3,000 diapers in their first year and more than 7,000 diapers before they are potty trained. The average infant requires about eight diaper changes per day during the first two years of life .For many families, the cost of diapers can be as much as $80-$100 per month per child, especially impacting low-income families who cannot buy diapers with food stamps or WIC vouchers. Three in five parents miss school or work because they cannot afford diapers.Mayor Jason Salamun has proclaimed September 23-29 as Diaper Need Awareness Week in Rapid City. The Diaper Drive is a project undertaken by Volunteers of America Northern Rockies (VOA). For an eighth consecutive year, City Hall is serving as a diaper collection point with other collection points set up at Fire Station 4, the Public Safety Building and the Rapid City Public Library.All sizes of children’s diapers will be accepted with an emphasis on size five diapers since young children remain in that size longer than other sizes. Check and cash donations will also be accepted.Last year, more than 26,000 diapers and supplies were collected, including the collection from the kickoff collection drive by Thrivent Financial. In addition, nearly $1,000 was collected in cash donations. Volunteers of America officials indicate $1,000 in donations can purchase more than 85,000 diapers.Mayor Salamun is encouraging citizens to donate generously to the diaper drive during Awareness Week and throughout the year to diaper banks, diaper drives and organizations that distribute diapers to families in need in the community.“Each year, our community steps up and generously contributes to the annual Diaper Drive,” said Mayor Salamun. “I’m encouraging the community to respond as they have in the past and stop by one of several collection points and drop off diapers. The donations of diapers provides Mommy’s Closet with several months of diapers and supplies, serving a very real need for our low-income families, who cope daily with increased costs for most all items. Any relief, especially when it assists our youngest children, is welcomed.”The following locations will serve as collection points for packaged or boxed children’s diapers and diaper wipes during Awareness Week beginning Monday, September 23 and continuing through Monday, September 30. Drop off items in the pack-n-play portable playpens in the lobby areas.<ul><li>City Hall: 300 Sixth Street</li><li>Fire Station 4: 700 E. Fairmont Boulevard</li><li>Public Safety Building: 300 Kansas City Street</li><li>Rapid City Public Library, 610 Quincy Street</li><li>Mommy’s Closet: facility at 111 New York Street serves as an anytime collection location for diapers.</li></ul>Monetary donations will also be accepted during the Diaper Drive. Checks can be mailed or dropped off to Mommy’s Closet at 111 New York Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.Diaper need is defined as the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to ensure infants and toddlers are clean, healthy and dry, and can adversely affect the health and welfare of infants, toddlers and their families. Rapid City's Mommy's Closet is one of two diaper banks in South Dakota, recognizing the importance of diapers in helping provide economic stability for families and distribute diapers to disadvantaged families. For more information about Mommy’s Closet, contact 605.341.8336 or visit https://www.voanr.org/services/mommys-closet/</div></body>

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Community Diaper Drive: Several City Offices Serving as Collection Points Sept. 23-30

COMMUNITY DIAPER DRIVE SEVERAL CITY GOVERNMENT OFFICES SERVING AS COLLECTION POINTS FOR CITYWIDE DIAPER DRIVE. **Mayor declares Sept. 23-30as Diaper Need Awareness Week. RAPID CITY, SD—The average child will use approximately 2,500 to 3,000 diapers in their first year and more than 7,000 diapers before they are potty trained. The average infant requires about eight diaper changes per day during the first two years of life .