Twin Tiers Baby Bank

The baby bank has been in existence since 2016 and was formed to help the one in two children that do not have access to an adequate supply of diapers to keep them dry, clean and healthy.  We give a one week supply of diapers with wipes and ointment up to once a month.  In the first week of November alone, we helped 117 families with 218 kids; on average, we distribute 18,000 diapers a month!  Providing $1 in “diaper relief” impacts the family’s budget positively by $11 so it’s a donation with a great return!  The baby bank is a 100% volunteer agency located in donated space with no overhead, and 100 cents of every dollar goes to buy diapers and wipes and ointment!  When you contribute to the baby bank, you are helping change far more than diapers; you are helping change lives!

Diaper need is not a well-known problem.  A very small percentage of households in the US contain a child of diaper-wearing age.  Diapers cannot be purchased with SNAP funds, WIC does not provide diapers, and very few food pantries have diapers; when they do, it is unlikely they have the needed sizes (we  stock 20) or brands required by their visiting families.  Diaper prices have risen significantly in the past several years, taking up even an larger portion of the budget for families already struggling to provide the basics.

Moms will do what they have to do when they run out of diapers.  They may air dry wet diapers for reuse, scrape solids off a dirty diaper, line with a paper towel and reuse, use towels or paper towels in a plastic bag, sell plasma to get money for diapers, or limit liquid intake for their kids.  So what happens when babies aren’t changed often enough, (besides cry incessantly, increasing the chances of child abuse?)

*Diaper rash that makes babies uncomfortable, more likely to cry and less likely to sleep is not the only physical symptom of diaper need. Infections, open sores, UTIs, bacterial diarrhea and even Hepatitis A (a communicable disease) are results of extreme diaper rash, bringing increased medical costs and, surprisingly, higher rates of placement into foster care because of the lack of this simple basic need.   

*Beyond the physical ramifications, lack of basic necessities like diapers can literally delay a child’s mental and emotional growth, impacting them FOR LIFE.  Approximately 80% of a child’s brain capacity develops in the first 3 years.  Infants and young children are affected adversely when significant stresses threaten their family and caregiving environments, resulting in reduced learning capacity and behavioral problems and also poor physical and mental health outcomes.” This particular study from Harvard goes on to say that when children don’t get enough interaction with their parents - what they call “serve and return” - it may be more damaging to the developing brain than even physical mistreatment/trauma. To continue, “When compared with children who have been victimized by overt physical maltreatment, young children who experienced prolonged periods of neglect exhibit more serious cognitive impairments, attention problems, language deficits, academic difficulties, withdrawn behavior, and problems with peer interaction as they get older.”  Moms who are spending a great deal of their emotional energy and time sourcing basic necessities of life such as food and diapers for their children often just do not have enough left to give their kids this critical interaction. 

In addition, not having diapers for a child has a horrible effect on a mom’s mental health. Moms will skip meals to have money for diapers, and worry more about getting diapers than food, even in households that are without both. Diaper need is considered the #1 predictor of postpartum depression, which is responsible for 1 in 5 maternal deaths in our country. ALL of this for lack of a DIAPER!

At the Twin Tiers Baby Bank, families receive a one week supply of diapers plus wipes and ointment, up to one time a month.  In addition, we have a large selection of donated goods from our generous community, and while supply varies, common items that families are so appreciative of include bassinets, cribs, pack and plays, clothes, shoes, socks, books, toys, baby baths, baby potty seats, swings, strollers, high chairs, activity centers, crib and bassinets sheets, bottles, bottle warmers and sterilizers, nursing supplies like breast pumps, milk storage bags, pacifiers, sleep sacks, swaddles, etc. etc ETC.  These items are SO helpful and meaningful to our families, and most love to give back, bringing us things their children have outgrown.

We are 100% powered by volunteers.  We are distributing more diapers as we grow traffic at our off-site delivery sites in Horseheads, Elmira and Watkins Glen, and it is our pleasure to provide not only diapers, wipes and baby items, but HOPE to hard-working families who are part of our baby bank family.  We appreciate your support!

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