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When babies are born, diapers are one of the essentials that families cannot live without. But for many families, providing diapers for their child can be a hardship. Did you know that diapers alone can cost nearly $80 a month per child and that they cannot be purchased with WIC or SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps)?

Diaper need – or the lack of an adequate supply of diapers to keep a baby or child clean, dry and healthy – affects one in three American families, according to a press release from the Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County (CYP). For many families, diaper need may mean keeping their child in a diaper longer than they should to stretch the use of that diaper. For others, it may mean missing work or school due to a lack of diapers to leave for their child at child care.

Knowing the effects of diaper need and the struggle that so many families were facing in the community, CYP launched its Diaper Bank in May 2020 with a grant from the Outer Banks Community Foundation and the support of individuals, businesses and organizations in the local community. Since that time, CYP has distributed over 5,000 packs of diapers to families in the Dare County community, providing an estimated 160,000 diaper changes for the better.

During the week of September 24-October 2, CYP will be recognizing National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Throughout this time, CYP hopes to bring awareness to diaper need in the Dare County community and how the community can help CYP’s Diaper Bank continue to provide diapers – a basic need — for families with young children.

There are many ways to help. CYP is in search of businesses, organizations and individuals who are interested in holding diaper drives in support of Diaper Need Awareness Week. A “Diaper Drive Toolkit” is available for use by anyone who is interested in holding their own diaper drive. CYP is also accepting tax-deductible monetary donations and donations of unopened diapers for CYP’s Diaper Bank. Visit darekids.org/blog/cyps-diaper-bank to learn more about how to help.

Any families in need of diapers can come by one of CYP’s upcoming diaper distribution events for September, including on September 14, from 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. at the Center for CYP in Manteo and September 21 from noon-5 p.m. at Kitty Hawk Baptist Church. During the September 21 event, free wellness screenings will be provided onsite from noon-3 p.m. by the Community Care Clinic of Dare.

All diaper distribution events provided by CYP’s Diaper Bank are free for families, with diapers available in sizes newborn-size 6 (while supplies last).

To learn more about CYP’s upcoming diaper distribution events or to find out more about how to support CYP’s Diaper Bank, visit www.darekids.org, follow CYP on Facebook at facebook.com/cypdarekids or call 252-441-0614.

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