United Way of Champaign Co. helps fill the gap for families in need of diapers

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Its National Diaper Need Awareness week, and the United Way of Champaign County is stepping up.

Around 50% of families in the United States experience diaper insecurity, which means they don’t have enough to keep their child clean, dry and healthy.

United Way has the Bottom Line Diaper Bank, which passes the diaper donations onto community partners, who then distribute to those in need. However, this resource is being stretched thin.

Employees told WCIA that requests have been rising. They usually give out around 12,000 diapers a month. That number was more than 14,000 in July, and 15,000 in August.

Other workers said diapers cost up to $100 per child each month. It not only affects the child, but adults as well. Around 57% of parents surveyed said they missed at least three days of school or work due to not having enough diapers.

“Families have to either then reduce other things that they’re needing and purchasing to be sure that they have enough for diapers or they’re just making that budget stretch, as far as they can.” said Chief Impact Officer Beverley Baker. “And sometimes that’s using diapers longer. You know, not having as many diapers available. And that can lead to health concerns for young children and families.”

United Way itself does not give away diapers directly to families. To get them families must go to one of their 12 partners.

You can connect with any of these locations to see if you can receive them:

• Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department- WIC
• The Baby Fold
• Brightpoint
• Community Service Center of Northern Champaign County- Rantoul
• Crisis Nursery
• C-U Early
• Developmental Services Center of Champaign County
• The Family Room
• Head Start Champaign-Urbana
• Healthy Beginnings & Family Foundations
• Multicultural Community Center- Rantoul

To learn more about the United Way of Champaign County Bottom Line Diaper Bank, visit their website .

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