By Kathryne Rakowski
Diaper Need Awareness Week is just around the corner, beginning on Sept. 18 and running until Sept. 24. And the CNY Diaper Bank is busy spreading the word and letting the community know how to get involved with their vital mission.
Based in Liverpool, the CNY Diaper Bank was founded by Michela Hugo in 2016. After learning about other diaper bank programs, she was surprised that no one was fulfilling that need in the Syracuse area, where 47% of children are living in poverty. Diapers are an essential need for children, but it is a need that is often overlooked.
“Diaper needs are not being met and that’s why diaper banks are so important,” Hugo said, explaining that diapers are not covered by benefits like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or by Women, Infants and Children (WIC).
They can cost up to $100 a month and this is often more than families can afford.
“Diapers are so expensive and families in poverty often have to choose between food or diapers,” Hugo said. “Going without diapers means risking health issues and that can lead to depression in moms, further harming their children.”
Today, the CNY Diaper Bank works with 49 partner agencies in the area and has distributed over 1 million diapers in 2023 alone. Families in need can receive 50 diapers per month for each child.
Diaper Awareness Week, created in 2012 by the National Diaper Bank Network, is a time when the CNY Diaper Bank focuses on raising awareness, showing support for those in need, and getting the community involved. And there are several ways for people to get involved, Hugo said.
The Downtown Diaper Walk will be held on Thurs., Sept. 21 beginning at 11:30 a.m. at city hall and individuals, families, and groups are all invited to attend.
Registration is free and can be done on their website, cnydiaperbank.org.
The first 50 people to register will receive a free T-shirt.
Mayor Ben Walsh, County Executive Ryan McMahon, and Assembly Member William B. Magnarelli will be attending as well and will present proclamations at city hall.
Walkers are encouraged to bring diaper donations. Size six diapers are the most in need, but all diaper donations are important and needed.
If you can’t make the walk, but want to get involved, groups and businesses can host a Diaper Drive.
Hugo said it’s an easy and effective way to spread awareness and collect diaper donations.
“It’s a very powerful way to make an impact and show support,” she said.
For resources on hosting a diaper drive, you can visit cnydiaperbank.org/diaperdrives.
And as always, something simple and significant that everyone can do is donate money for the cause. And no donation is too small, according to Hugo.
Thanks to matching grant sponsorships by the Central New York Community Foundation and Dannible & McKee, LLP, the first $12,500 raised will be matched dollar for dollar, meaning donations will go twice as far.
Every dollar donated is used directly to purchase diapers. Donations can be made on their website.
During Diaper Need Awareness Week, Hugo appreciates the opportunity to put this often silent need in the forefront.
“We want to spread awareness and show support to the families in the city who need us,” she said. “It’s important for us to shine a light on this overlooked need and help make a difference.
