NEENAH, Wis., Sept. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This week
kicks off National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which was created in
2012 by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) and
Huggies® as a way to draw attention to the issue of
diaper need in the United
States.
Diaper need is the lack of enough diapers to keep a baby or
toddler clean, dry, and healthy, and is a recognized public health
issue that impacts the physical, mental and economic well-being of
U.S. children and families. Diaper need can result from poverty,
unexpected life hardships, natural disasters and so much more. As
the founding sponsor of NBDN, Kimberly-Clark's North America
Huggies brand has donated more than 300 million diapers and wipes
in the past decade to help struggling families secure this basic
necessity for their children.
The National Diaper Bank Network has more than 225 member diaper
banks which have reported on average an 86% increase in the number
of diapers distributed to families, compared to the previous year,
with spikes of up to 800% more in some cities. In 2020, NDBN
distributed more than 140 million diapers to families in need, and
2021 shows little signs of decreasing need. No federal support
programs for children cover diapers, which can run about
$80 a month per child.
"Diapers are a basic necessity for every baby and toddler. Our
member programs are changing lives of children and families by
working to end diaper need every day," said Joanne Goldblum, CEO and founder of the National
Diaper Bank Network. "There are so many people who do not have
enough money to meet their basic needs, and we've found diaper need
can be a window into poverty."
Prior to the pandemic, a nationwide study conducted by the NDBN
and Huggies helped reveal the facts on diaper need in the
U.S.:
- One in three U.S. families reported experiencing diaper
need.
- Nearly three in five families experiencing diaper need reported
missing work or school due to lack of access to clean diapers
needed for childcare services.
- Families reporting diaper need encompass a wide array of ages,
racial groups and income levels. Of those in diaper need, 96
percent are under 45 years of age with the majority between 25 to
34 years of age.
- Of those in need, two-in-five families said they stretch the
use of diapers by keeping a child in the same diaper longer, which
can increase a child's risk for skin irritation and other serious
side effects.
"The research shows that a lack of access to clean diapers leads
to negative and long-lasting impacts on a child's physical and
mental health," continues Goldblum. "We want every child to achieve
his or her full potential, and having a clean diaper is one of the
essential building blocks to making this a reality."
Baby Booties Diaper Bank in McKinney, Texas has seen a 600% increase in
need from the families it serves since the pandemic started. The
bank distributes an estimated 20,000+ diapers every other Saturday
in less than an hour and serves nearly 500 kids.
"We are seeing some families who would have never asked for help
prior to COVID-19, but the pandemic has led to unexpected job
layoffs across so many sectors and economic crises that most of
these families never could have imagined," said Helen Hutton, Executive Director of Baby
Booties.
Hutton predicts that the need will only increase as winter
approaches and heating bills increase. Roughly 65% of the families
she serves have working family members, but even with two incomes,
many just can't make ends meet.
"They're always trying to play catch up," said Hutton. "The
families we serve are working around the clock just to keep the
lights on. You'd be surprised at the number of people in our
community who are one paycheck away from trouble. If you're living
paycheck to paycheck and then your paycheck stops, that's
catastrophic."
There are several ways to help end diaper need in your community
and participate in National Diaper Need Awareness Week:
- Host a physical or virtual diaper drive
- Volunteer at a local diaper bank
- Request proclamations from elected officials
- Engage on social media or share posts from The National Diaper
Bank Network by using and/or following the hashtags #EndDiaperNeed
and #HelpingHugs
- Make a monetary donation to the National Diaper Bank Network or
support a local diaper bank in your community
"Families oftentimes have to choose between buying food or
diapers so they may end up leaving diapers on longer than they
should, which can pose health risks for babies," said Robert Raines, Vice President of Huggies North
America. "Huggies is dedicated to helping parents navigate the
unknowns of babyhood, and for the last 10 years, together with the
National Diaper Bank Network, we've been able to help many families
who struggle with diaper need. However, the need is greater than
ever, and we must continue to educate and advocate for change."
The National Diaper Bank Network member diaper banks help
families in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico. To find a diaper bank near you, please visit the
Member Directory at NationalDiaperBankNetwork.org.
Huggies® is the proud founding sponsor of the National Diaper
Bank Network and has donated more than 300 million diapers and
wipes to the network since 2011. 2020 marked the biggest donation
year to-date with more than 30 million diapers donated.
About the National Diaper Bank Network
The National Diaper Bank Network leads (NDBN) a nationwide movement
dedicated to helping individuals, children and families access the
basic necessities they require to thrive and reach their full
potential…including clean, dry diapers, period supplies and other
basic needs. Launched in 2011 with the support of founding sponsor
Huggies®, NDBN is dedicated to creating awareness,
providing assistance and building community to #EndDiaperNeed in
the US. Its active membership includes more than 225 diaper banks,
diaper pantries, and food banks serving local communities in all 50
US states, the District of
Columbia and Puerto Rico.
More information on NDBN and diaper need is available at
nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org, and on Twitter (@DiaperNetwork),
Instagram (@DiaperNetwork) and Facebook
(facebook.com/NationalDiaperBankNetwork).
About Huggies® Brand
For more than 40 years, Huggies has been helping parents provide
love, care and reassurance to their babies. From developing
innovative, everyday products for babies to partnering with NICU
nurses to develop a special diapers and wipes line for the most
fragile babies, Huggies is dedicated to helping ensure all babies
get the care they need to thrive. Huggies is also proud to be the
founding sponsor of the National Diaper Bank Network, a nationwide
nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need in America since
2011. Huggies is also the founding sponsor of virtual NICU support
groups through the national nonprofit Hand to Hold, which helps
families before, during and after NICU stays and infant loss by
providing powerful resources for the whole family. For more
information on product offerings or our community efforts, please
visit Huggies.com.
About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark (NYSE: KMB)
and its trusted brands are an indispensable part of life for people
in more than 175 countries. Fueled by ingenuity, creativity, and an
understanding of people's most essential needs, we create products
that help individuals experience more of what's important to them.
Our portfolio of brands, including Huggies, Kleenex, Scott, Kotex,
Cottonelle, Poise, Depend, Andrex, Pull-Ups, GoodNites, Intimus,
Neve, Plenitud, Sweety, Softex, Viva and WypAll, hold the No. 1 or
No. 2 share position in 80 countries. We use sustainable practices
that support a healthy planet, build stronger communities, and
ensure our business thrives for decades to come. To keep up with
the latest news and to learn more about the company's nearly
150-year history of innovation, visit kimberly-clark.com.
[KMB-B]
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