The National Diaper Bank Network

This is my last month serving as an ambassador for Huggies' Every Little Bottom campaign. I'm a little sad to see it end – it doesn't mean I'll stop working to eradicate diaper need, as its become a cause I feel so connected to – but I do feel like I've done as much as I could to reach my little corner of the Internet to spread awareness and let people know how they can get involved in their own communities.

One of the hardest things about diaper need is that most diaper drives and fundraisers end up being locally-based events, which means donations and resources just don't get very far outside the immediate community. And there are many, MANY communities that just don't have anyone advocating or providing for them. There are holes in the network, and there are babies suffering as a result. Think about how many of YOU were unaware that diaper need was an actual thing? (I can raise my OWN hand here, too.)

The good news is that diaper drives are outgrowing their community-based status with the formation of the National Diaper Bank Network, a newly formed national nonprofit that is working to create a community of partners nationwide that will raise awareness of diaper need as well as establish diaper banks throughout the country. The NDBN will work to educate the community as well as reach out to national leaders and the general public, assist local communities in starting diaper banks as well as build the capacity of existing diaper banks, and distribute funding and diapers from national donors. This is a HUGE step in a country where nearly 34 percent of moms surveyed by Huggies said they'd cut back on food, utilities or child care to provide diapers for their children.

Huggies is a founding sponsor of the National Diaper Bank Network, and I am so proud to have been able to work with a company that is working to make a difference. In fact, Huggies recently donated 12 million diapers – yes, MILLION – as part of a program called “12 Days of Thanks,” where over a 12-day period, a million diapers were donated in 12 cities across the country. That's in addition to the 22 million diapers Huggies has given in the name of Every Little Bottom, and the 20 million diapers the company has pledged to give to the National Diaper Bank Network in 2012.

Fifty-four MILLION DIAPERS. That's certainly a great place to start.

Disclosure: I have partnered with the Huggies® brand to help promote the Huggies® Every Little Bottom program. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program, which includes writing about it here. However, my opinions are entirely my own.

Comments

[Julie]

I think you were a great spokesperson for them and def. raised awareness. I think it would be cool if you could continue to work with them or the new diaper bank network on an event by event basis. And if any of these events featured adults in diapers then hey, value added!

[Katie]

I never thought a diaper post would choke me up- it could be the pregnancy! but i think you did an amazing job and I think I may have to switch from pampers to huggies now that I know all the wonderful work they are doing!

[HereWeGoAJen]

You did an awesome job with this.

[Frema]

Luke and I bought donations for a local food bank as part of our Christmas giving this year. The facility shared a list of all the different types of supplies needed (food and non-food items), and when I saw that diapers were listed, we made sure to grab a box. You did a great job providing information on diaper need. Go, you!

[Life of a Doctor's Wife]

I learned so much about this because of your posts here - thank you so much for being part of something so wonderful. You have done an amazing job!