To coincide with National Diaper Need Awareness Week, United Way of Mid Coast Maine released the results of the Diaper Project it started last year.

“Can you imagine not being able to respond to your baby’s cry with a fresh diaper?” said Dodie Jones, United Way volunteer chairperson of the Diaper Project. “For too many families, that is their reality.”

“Being unable to provide a baby with a fresh diaper can lead to diaper rash, illness and infections, and leads to a baby who will cry — a lot,” added Maria Hinteregger of United Way’s staff. “Conditions like these cause undue stress on both baby and parent, and can affect a baby’s mental and physical health, as well as their long-term health and development.”

Diaper need is defined as the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep babies clean, dry, and healthy. The most obvious cause of diaper need is cost: diapers can cost up to $1,000 per year per child. 

“With the Diaper Project, we’ve promoted and supported Diaper Drives at organizations and businesses throughout Midcoast Maine,” said Jones. “The outpouring of support for this initiative has been amazing;Mid Coast residents are jumping at the chance to support young families in this practical way.”

Diaper drives have been held at many locations, including Downeast Energy, Bank of Maine, FHC, Inc., Bath YMCA, Maine Pines, Boothbay Harbor Urgent Care, Waldoboro Town Office, and Mid Coast Hospital. A Community-wide Diaper Drive was also held between Mother’s and Father’s Day this year.

Hinteregger calculated that between donations of diapers and cash, United Way has collected the equivalent of over 65,139 diapers for Midcoast babies. The diapers have been distributed by local organizations serving children and families facing a critical diaper need. 

“I can see the relief on a parent’s face when I show up with diapers,” said Shannon Landry, a Home Visitor with Early Head Start.

Hinteregger reports the purchase of diapers is not covered by the SNAP (formerly called food stamps) or the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, and often circumstances of work changes or family illness leave parents temporarily left without the resources to purchase enough diapers for their babies. For a parent working full-time at Maine’s minimum wage, the cost of diapers is nearly six percent of their income. In addition, an adequate supply of diapers is needed for children to be cared for in child care, allowing their parents to work. 

“These donations really fill a critical need,” said United Way’s Executive Director, Barbara Reinertsen, who said one of the organization’s goals is to promote the “absolutely best childhood” for Midcoast children. “Raising our community’s awareness of diaper need and raising funds to support families experiencing diaper need is one way to pursue that goal.”

For more information about United Way of Mid Coast Maine, including ways to support the Diaper Project, visit uwmcm.org. You can also find United Way on Facebook at facebook.com/uwmcm.