OSAGE BEACH, Mo. – One in two U.S. families with young children struggles to provide enough diapers for their baby, so this week, during National Diaper Need Awareness Week, The Changing Table invites the community to learn about this growing public health issue and participate in a "Fill the Bin" campaign to help end diaper need in the Lake area.
According to The NDBN Diaper Check 2023: Diaper Insecurity Among U.S. Children and Families - 47% can’t afford the diapers they need to keep their children clean, dry and healthy. This is diaper need, an often hidden consequence of poverty, which harms the physical, mental, and economic well-being of children and families.
Recent national news reports show that the average cost of diapers has increased 32% since 2019, which negatively impacts household budgets, particularly among low-wage earners and families living in poverty. Many parents struggle to afford an adequate supply of clean diapers, leading to serious health and economic consequences for both infants and toddlers.
The Changing Table is launching its "Fill the Bin" campaign to raise awareness about the critical issue of diaper poverty and provide essential support to families in need.
To take part in the "Fill the Bin" campaign, visit The Changing Table’s permanent diaper drop-off bin located in Osage Beach across from Duncan Jewelers in the Gather and Golden Rule Insurance parking lot. The bin's door is designed to accommodate large boxes of diapers, making it easy for donors to contribute.
Contributions will help ensure that every child in the community enjoys a clean, healthy start.
For more information about The Changing Table and the "Fill the Bin" campaign, contact Laura Atkinson, Executive Director at director@changingtable.org or visit their website at changingtable.org.
The Changing Table has been supplying diapers to Mid-Missouri families since 2016. Working with community partners, the nonprofit has distributed hundreds of thousands of diapers.
Supported by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN), more than 225 community-based diaper banks throughout the country are working with individuals, community organizations, and elected officials to help get free, clean diapers to babies. Also throughout the week, many diaper banks are organizing community-wide diaper drives and fundraising campaigns that will help ensure that the nonprofit remains a reliable source of diapers for children and families in their communities throughout the year.
More Statistics about Diaper Insecurity
More than 4.6 million infants and toddlers live in low-wage families earning below 200% of the federal poverty level (State of Babies Yearbook 2022). Many parents and caregivers face a daily struggle to afford the diapers they need. According to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, the poorest 20% of Americans who buy diapers spend nearly 14% of their post-tax income on diapers. Yet, government programs designed to help children typically do not provide funding for diapers, a basic necessity for all babies.
Of families in diaper need, 1 in 4 parents and caregivers (25%) reported missing work or school due to a lack of sufficient diapers required by child care, day care or early education programs to care for a baby or toddler. As a result, parents experiencing diaper need who relied on day care missed an average of 5.1 days of work or school in the past month.
53% of parents experiencing diaper need feel judged as a parent or caregiver because they cannot afford diapers, while 70% of households in need experience feeling stressed or overwhelmed about their responsibilities as a caregiver.
