TUCSON, Ariz. -- The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona is in the middle of their biggest diaper drive yet!
The goal: one-million diapers donated by the end of March, and staff says they are almost there.
So far the organization says it has reached 85% of the goal, but the non-profit now needs the community to host more drives.
Jade-Lynn Lewis-Henry is a mother of three, who says the Diaper Bank helped her and her family.
While she says she and her growing family are better than they've ever been, there was a time in her life where she was struggling to make ends meet.
“When you're in those tough times, you don't think about how are you going to provide diapers,” she told KGUN9.
Dan Moxley, with the Southern arizona diaper bank says, some people don't realize, buying diapers can put a dent in your wallet, especially if you're on a budget.
“Diapers are expensive. It's at least $80 dollars a month, per child,” said Moxley.
When Jade-Lynn realized that, she knew she needed help. So she turned to friends, family, and the Diaper Bank.
She said being able to receive free diapers changed her life.
“I'm very blessed now to not be in that situation and not have that stress and that worry of how are you gonna cover you babies bottom,” Jade-Lynn added.
Moxley says, although it may seem easy, being able to provide diapers to partnering agencies is a big feat. Which is why they need the community’s help.
“About 70,000 diapers a month go out. So distributing them is the easier part. Bringing them in is the greater challenge. We're very grateful to the community. And if they can just help us do more drives at their schools, businesses, churches, civic groups to help us get another 150,00 diapers, then that would hit our goal. And right now we need 5s and 6s,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jade-Lynn says she's thankful it's come full circle.
“To be able to sit here today and say I'm able to volunteer. I'm able to help the diaper bank with their biggest fundraiser of the year. It's just so special to know that this is one of the agencies that helped me, and now I can help other people in the community,”
The Diaper Bank provides diapers to partnering organizations every month.
If you can't host a drive, but would like to donate, you can always drop diapers off at the Diaper Bank.
1050 S Plumer Avenue
Tucson, AZ 85719
Once the ‘one-million diaper drive’ is over, the Diaper Bank will focus on their 'Love Period' campaign. Here staff asks the community to donate feminine products for women in need.
For more information on how you can get involved, whether it be volunteering or donating, click here.
