Six months ago, four local women started a new not-for-profit organization to collect and distribute diapers to local families in need. Through monetary donations, diaper drives, volunteers and partners, the Central New York Diaper Bank distributes diapers through a network of social service agencies throughout CNY.

To date, the organization has collected and purchased more than 64,000 diapers for social service agencies in the area to distribute to families and is providing diaper supplements to 175 babies a month. It is run solely by volunteers.

The need is great. An adequate supply of diapers for one child can cost $100 per month and a healthy child will require an average of 50 diaper changes a week and 2,600 a year. However, a staggering 50 percent of Syracuse city children younger than five live in poverty and 1 in 4 live in extreme poverty (according to City-Data.com). For the families of these children, buying diapers is an enormous struggle.

This holiday season, here are some ways you can help out a family in need:

· Host a “Dollars for Diapers” Fundraiser.

· Collect money for an office-wide “Dress-down Day” or “Jeans Day” with the proceeds going to the CNY Diaper Bank. The CNY Diaper Bank can then use that money to purchase diapers in bulk for $0.13/diaper and distribute to its partner agencies.

· Host a Diaper Drive.

· Hold an office diaper drive. Every package of diapers collected and every dollar raised will impact needy infants and toddlers in our community.

· Shop CNY Diaper Banks’ wish list on AmazonSmile or select CNY Diaper Bank as your charity of choice.

· On AmazonSmile, purchase diapers in sizes the organization needs and ship them directly to the CNY Diaper Bank and a percentage of your purchase will be donated back to the CNY Diaper Bank.

· “Give a Pack” with Jet.com.

For more information about the CNY Diaper Bank, go to cnydiaperbank.org.