MADISON — Pregnancy Helpline, Inc.’s Diaper Dash run/walk will kick off Diaper Need Awareness Week, September 28 through October 4.
This week in Wisconsin has been proclaimed for the second year through the effort of Pregnancy Helpline of Madison to draw attention to the struggle low-income families face to keep their children in clean diapers. Sizes four, five, and six are especially needed.
Diaper Dash
The first Diaper Dash 5K run/two mile walk will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, at McKee Farms Park, 2930 Chapel Valley Rd, Fitchburg. Check in begins at 8 a.m. with the race at 9 a.m.
Registration fee is $15 for individuals and $30 for families. Diapers will be collected on-site on race day, with prizes for the individuals or families who bring the most diapers. Funds raised will be used to provide free diapers to local families in need.Diaper donations
Diaper donations may also be made at other community diaper drives including:
• September 24 through 26 at the Lil’ Badger Consignment Sale, Monona Community Center, 1011 Nichols Rd., Monona.
• September 28 through October 4 at all Madison Shopko locations.
• September 28 through October 12 at Kicks Unlimited in Fitchburg, Middleton, and Sun Prairie.
Need for diapers
“One in three American families struggle with diaper need and it’s a reality in our community. Every week we have mothers asking for help with diapers,” said Jen Bartell, Pregnancy Helpline diaper bank coordinator. “Pregnancy Helpline provides bundles of free diapers to clients monthly. We’re making an impact and we want to do more.”
Diaper need refers to the problem of not having enough diapers to keep a child clean, dry, and healthy.
• In Wisconsin, 43 percent of young children (175,853) live in low-income families.
• Diapers cannot be bought with food stamps nor are they covered by WIC.
• Without adequate diapers, parents must stretch their minimal supply by leaving babies in dirty diapers longer, reusing diapers, or doing without. Longer times spent in dirty diapers can lead to severe diaper rash and other health problems for children.
• Babies without diapers often cannot be left with a childcare provider. Without childcare, parents are unable to go to work or school resulting in more parental stress.
Diaper bank
Pregnancy Helpline’s diaper bank purchases diapers and collects donated diapers through diaper drives. Similar to a food drive, a diaper drive collects diaper donations to be distributed to families in need.
In 2014, Pregnancy Helpline gave out over 40,000 free diapers. The diaper bank was supported by 21 diaper drives, which collected over 27,000 baby diapers. Pregnancy Helpline has distributed over 30,000 diapers to Dane County families so far in 2015.
Pregnancy Helpline, Inc., of Madison is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. It has been serving low-income women, children, and families in the Madison area for over 30 years. It is a member of the National Diaper Bank Network. There is nowhere else in Madison to consistently receive free diapers.
To register for the Diaper Dash or to donate, go to www.pregnancyhelpline.net