Imagine on top of all the stresses of motherhood, the added stress of not being able to diaper your child. Imagine having to take a bus, with kids in tow, to shop for an enormous box of diapers, or only being able to buy them in an expensive, convenience store. Imagine not being able to work, because you cannot provide the childcare center with enough diapers. This is the reality for too many mothers.
To help diminish this struggle for low-income moms, Mothers & More, a national membership organization providing community and programming for moms, is hosting a diaper drive, “Make a Mother’s Day” throughout April and May.
The South Orange/Maplewood chapter of Mothers & More will be hosting the drive to benefit two organizations, both in East Orange: Sierra House and Isaiah House.
All disposable diapers are welcome, including open packages.
Collection points:
- Village Coffee, 164 Maplewood Ave., Maplewood
- The Rack, 1844 Springfield Ave., Maplewood
- Munchies, 307 Irvington Ave., South Orange
- The UPS Store, 4 South Orange Ave., South Orange
Last year the SOMA chapter of Mothers & More collected 3,717 diapers, contributing to the more than 50,000 diapers collected by chapters nationwide. This year, the goal is 60,000 diapers.
“There is no denying the need for diapers is great, with 1 in 3 U.S. families struggling to afford diapers and no help from government assistance programs to help pay for diapers,” said Annemarie Conte, SOMA M & M Diaper Drive Coordinator.
“Mothers & More members find great value in advocating to improve mothers’ lives, so this diaper drives allows us to do just that, to work together as a community to help better the lives of low-income moms, as well as call attention to a real problem affecting too many mothers,” Conte added.
Facts about the Diaper Need:
● Government assistance programs such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (food stamps) do not cover the purchase of diapers.
● Cloth diapers are not an option for families in need of diapers. Many low-income families do not have washing machines and many laundromats do not allow cloth diapers. Additionally, licensed day care centers, especially the free and subsidized centers, don’t accept cloth diapers.
● For families that can’t afford diapers, a baby may spend an extended period of time in a soiled diaper, increasing the risk for numerous health problems.
For more information contact Conte at diaperdrive@somamothers.org.
