97% of the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank’s distributed product is food while 3% are other grocery items – including diapers. To date, the Food Bank has distributed over 4.3 million diapers since 2019. 

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 1 in 3 US families experience diaper need. The network reports that babies without clean diapers are exposed to more potential health risks and are less likely accepted to daycares, leaving parents unable to attend work. Federal assistance programs do not currently provide adequate funds for buying diapers. Diapers can’t be bought with funds given through nutrition programs administered by the Department of Agriculture.

“Some families that we serve may be on the California implementation of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp program) which provides financial assistance for purchasing food to low-income California residents and may not be able to afford diapers or wipes,” shares Food Bank Agency Relations & Product Donations Director, Liz Cervantes.

Each family receives approximately 40 diapers per child per month – the average “diaper gap” per child per month. Ever since the Food Bank received a $2.5 million grant through the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to support low-income families with baby diapers, over 80,000 households in Los Angeles County have received diapers through this program. 

Initially, the Food Bank was working directly with the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and supporting them through 13-15 sites through the County before the pandemic forced sites to adapt to a virtual platform.

“Families are happy to support their babies better because diapers are costly,” said Cervantes.

The Food Bank is working on expanding the program within our agency network of over 600 organizations. 

Resources:

nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org