Frequently Asked Questions
How much do diapers cost?
An adequate supply of diapers can cost over $100 per month.
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.
Can’t parents buy diapers for their children with WIC or Food Stamps (SNAP Program)?
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.
What is the impact of a lack of diapers for a child?
In poor and low-income families, a baby can spend a day or longer in one diaper, leading to potential health and abuse risks.
Why don’t families use cloth diapers for their children?
The vast majority of licensed day care centers do not accept cloth diapers, and require parents and caregivers to 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.
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.
How many children do you serve?
The Diaper Bank serves over 4,000 children each month. We distribute over 200,000 diapers each month to families in need in Greater New Haven, Hartford and Bridgeport, Connecticut.
How do you distribute to that many children each month?
The Diaper Bank (TDB) centralizes the fundraising and distribution of free diapers to poor families through existing service providers, including local food pantries, soup kitchens, daycare centers, social service agencies and shelters. Through its extensive Diaper Distribution Network (DDN) of more than 60 agencies, TDB provides over 200,000 free diapers monthly to poor and low-income families in Greater New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford.
What are the requirements for an agency to become a member of the Diaper Distribution Network?
Agencies must apply for membership into our Diaper Distribution Network. In order for an agency to be accepted,
1. It must be registered as a 501©3 organization or be a church in good standing
2. At least 51% of the population that the agency serves must be at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Level. (2009 level $22,050 for a family of four)
3. The Diaper Bank Program Manager also conducts a site visit to ensure that the agency has a secure space to store the diapers before they are accepted into the Diaper Distribution Network.
Our agencies are required to report monthly on the number of diapers distributed, the number of children and families served, and provide some basic information about the families. The agencies go through an orientation and receive a manual as to the policies and procedures.