The CNY Diaper Bank, a local, volunteer-run nonprofit that collects diapers for families in need, invites community members to its upcoming free drive-up diaper distribution event from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, at the organization’s headquarters at 4645 Crossroads Park Drive, Liverpool. The distribution is made possible by a $10,000 grant provided by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to help the organization further assist families struggling to afford diapers, a basic health necessity.
Pre-registration is required at CNYDiaperBank.org. Diaper quantities are limited. Masks are required during the drive-through distribution event.
The diaper bank will offer a second distribution event at a later date this year.
“The COVID-19 health crisis and subsequent economic fallout have deeply impacted the lives of many local children,” said Michela Hugo, founder of the CNY Diaper Bank. “We are grateful to our partners at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield who have stepped up to help support the many parents in Central New York who are having to choose between buying diapers and buying food. Diapers are expensive, yet they are a basic need for babies.”
Half of all children under 5 years old in Syracuse alone live in poverty, and diapers become a cost many families can’t afford. An adequate supply of diapers for a single child can cost $100 per month. 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.
The CNY Diaper Bank was founded in May 2016 after Hugo learned that local agencies were forced to turn away families in need of diapers. She used the support and guidance of the National Diaper Bank Network to start a diaper bank in Syracuse. The diaper bank works with 36 partner agencies in the area to distribute more than 185,000 diapers to more than 3,500 local babies and toddlers each month. The organization has distributed more than 3 million diapers since its inception.
For more information about the CNY Diaper Bank or to register for the upcoming diaper distribution event, please visit cnydiaperbank.org.
About CNY Diaper Bank: The Central New York Diaper Bank is a nonprofit that was created in 2016 to help social service organizations in the Syracuse area distribute diapers to families in need. It is a part of the National Diaper Bank Network. CNY Diaper Bank’s mission is to ensure that all Central New York families have access to an adequate supply of diapers, and to build awareness of diaper need in our community
