CNY Diaper Bank invites community members to support local families in need during fifth annual “Make a Mother’s Day” drive

Monetary donations urgently needed as increased number of families face diaper need

The CNY Diaper Bank, a local nonprofit that collects diapers for families in need, is appealing to the Central New York community to help raise funds for its fifth annual “Make a Mother’s Day” drive. The drive will be held virtually throughout the month of May, and all funds raised will go directly toward diaper purchases for local families.

Monetary donations can be made at cnydiaperbank.org, and community members, local businesses and organizations can hold fundraisers on Facebook at no cost.

During last year’s “Make a Mother’s Day” diaper drive, the CNY Diaper Bank collected over 250,000 diapers.

“This year, even more families are facing diaper need and financial hardship during this unprecedented time, and every dollar can make an impact in the life of a local family,” said Michela Hugo, founder of the CNY Diaper Bank.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CNY Diaper Bank has halted volunteer diaper-wrapping sessions and has put a hold on the collection of physical diapers from the community until further notice. The organization is able to purchase diapers in bulk for an average cost of just 13 cents per diaper, compared with more than 25-35 cents at retail price.

The CNY Diaper Bank is a volunteer-run nonprofit that was founded in May 2016 after Hugo learned that agencies in the area were forced to turn away families in need of diapers. Hugo used the support and guidance of the National Diaper Bank Network to start a diaper bank in Syracuse. Though diapers are an essential need for babies, they are not covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or by Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits.

Half of all children under 5 years old in Syracuse alone live in poverty, and one out of four live in extreme poverty. Since an adequate supply of diapers for a single child can cost $100 per month, diapers become a cost many families can’t afford.

Children left in soiled diapers are at risk for infections, and suffer prolonged crying and interrupted sleep. Mothers who face diaper need have heightened anxiety and stress levels, and are more likely to experience depression.

The CNY Diaper Bank works with 30 partner agencies in the area to distribute over 100,000 diapers to more than 2,000 local babies and toddlers each month. The organization has distributed more than 2 million diapers since its inception.

Individual fundraisers can be held for free by visiting Facebook.com/fundraisers and choosing “CNY Diaper Bank” as the benefiting nonprofit. For more information on how to donate, run a virtual fundraiser or ways to get involved, please contact [email protected].

As part of the “Make a Mother’s Day” campaign, during the first week of May the CNY Diaper Bank will host a free drive-up diaper distribution event to assist families struggling to afford enough diapers and/or who may have been impacted by COVID-19. Quantities are limited; pre-registration is required and can be done online at www.cnydiaperbank.org.