(WWLP) – Many young families in the Franklin and Hampshire counties on a limited budget are in the grip of a crisis: being unable to afford diapers for their children.
The United Way has launched a Diaper Drive Monday, hoping for 10,000 donated diapers by the end of the month. Many young families have an agonizing decision to make, paying for diapers and doing without another essential family need.
Holly Martineau of The United Way told 22News, “We’re working to alleviate some of the stress that families feel, having a simple diaper, helping a family living so near to poverty and needing the money to purchase extra things they need. It’s very important for the well being of children and families.”
Diapers can cost as much as $100 a month, per child and have been subject to the same price increases as every other commodity in the U.S. Of the nearly 213,000 children under age three in the state, 17 percent are part of families living below the poverty line.
Jenny Coeur the Program Manager at The United Way of Franklin and Hampshire Counties spoke to 22News about how the drive helps families in need, “It’s starting today and it’s running for a full month. We give out over 10,000 diapers every month, through food pantries and family centers.”
The Franklin and Hampshire Counties United Way has been supplying diapers to families in need since 2014 but, with the inflationary spiral this is a critical time in the lives of young families.
The diapers in their Greenfield Storage area go very fast and you can help bolster their cause by donating. Diaper donations can be made online, or at United Way locations. They are specifically looking for sizes 4,5 and 6, as well as pull-up training pants.