Join us for The Diaper Bank STROLL-A-THON!
The Diaper Bank Stroll-a-Thon is set for May 10, 2009 and we hope you will join the individuals and teams that will come out on Mother’s Day to support our work with mothers and children. The event will start at East Rock Park in New Haven at noon…its going to be a really fun day!! News Channel 8 is our media sponsor and Chris Velardi will lead off the 3-mile walk!!
The Diaper Bank is a wonderful organization founded only a few years ago and has already made a huge impact in the lives of babies and their families. Take a look at this link for information on The Diaper Bank history and current events. http://www.thediaperbank.org/
The Facts:
·       Safety-net programs such as the Food Stamp Program and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers.
·       The vast majority of licensed day care centers does not accept cloth diapers, and requires that parents and caregivers provide a steady supply of disposable diapers.
·       Most people living in poverty do not have affordable access to washing facilities. Furthermore, most coin-operated Laundromats do not allow customers to wash cloth diapers for health and sanitary reasons.
·       An adequate supply of diapers can cost over $100 per month.
The Impacts:
In poor and low-income families, a baby can spend a day or longer in one diaper, leading to potential health and abuse risks.
Low-income parents cannot take advantage of free or subsidized childcare if they cannot afford to leave disposable diapers at childcare centers. If parents cannot access daycare, then they are less able to attend work or school on a consistent basis. This in turn leads to increased economic instability and a continuation of the cycle of poverty.
Without transportation, buying diapers at an inner city convenience store rather than a large retailer can double or triple the monthly cost for diapers. Many parents are already struggling to pay for rent and food and simply cannot afford the high cost of an adequate supply of diapers for their children.
-Sourced from The Diaper Bank website
Hope to see you at the Stroll-a-thon / Join me as a sponsor!
Thank you, Donna Hansen Scymanski
 *Picture by Amy Flyntz-Morehouse
