This week marks the launch of Athens Area Diaper Bank’s month-long community diaper drive called Diaper Up! This effort is aimed at collecting 100k diapers for families that need support in Athens Area Diaper Bank’s six-county service area. In addition to the community-wide diaper drive, Athens Area Diaper Bank will also help raise awareness during National Diaper Need Awareness Week (9/14-9/20), a week dedicated to drawing attention to the problem of diaper need in the United States and the work of community diaper banks to provide diaper access for families in need.

Athens Area Diaper Bank invites the entire community to rally together for Diaper Up! and is grateful for early support:

● Diaper drives: There are over 40 diaper drives, hosted by businesses, churches, neighborhoods, and school groups. The public map of diaper drop-off locations makes it easy for supporters to find a convenient spot.

● Donations: Thanks to two long-time Athens Area Diaper Bank donors, all donations in September will be matched up to $10,000. All gifts will go towards the goal of collecting 100k diapers in September.

● Cram the Van Community Event on Sunday, 9/20 from 3-5pm at Athentic Brewing Company. This free family-friendly event will be an opportunity to donate diapers (“Cram the Van”), learn more about diaper need, and enjoy crafts from Frog Stomp Studio and music from the Rebecca Sunshine Band.

● Starting this Friday, Athens Area Diaper Bank will host Diapers and Donuts days at their facility every Friday in September from 9am-12pm. Donuts and coffee will be available for anyone dropping off diapers.

● Volunteer groups are filling up to help package and bundle diapers for families receiving diaper assistance.

Further details on donating, registering a diaper drive, volunteering, sponsoring, etc. can be found at the Athens Area Diaper Bank’s Events page: www.athensareadiaperbank.com/events.html

Diaper need and its fallout Diaper need is the inability to afford a sufficient supply of diapers to keep babies healthy, clean, and dry.

● Diapers cost more than $1,000 every year, an expense that nearly 1 in 2 families struggle with in our country.

● Government assistance programs, like food stamps, Medicaid, and WIC, do NOT cover diapers.

● There are over 10,000 children in our Athens area who are at risk for diaper need.

● When families struggle to afford diapers, they often must decide between buying diapers or other basic needs like food and rent.

● Most daycares require parents to supply the day's worth of diapers. 

Without a supply of clean diapers, families can't send their babies to daycare. Without daycare, families can't go to work or school.

Contact Athens Area Diaper Bank by email: [email protected]. For more information, visit www.athensareadiaperbank.com.