Bundles of Hope Hosts Diaper Drives for Needy Families
By Sarah Kuper
Nearly one in three Birmingham-area families struggle to provide enough diapers for their children.
With small children going through up to 10 diapers per day, the cost can be more than $100 per month, and diapers cannot be bought with food stamps or even through the WIC program.
But a Birmingham organization has created a way to help. Bundles of Hope is a non-profit that helps organize diaper drives and directly provides a reliable supply of diapers to parents and child care workers.
The idea originated when a group of women at Mountain Chapel United Methodist Church in Vestavia Hills hosted a baby shower and discussed the high cost of diapers. From there, a few of those ladies assessed the need in the area and formed Bundles of Hope.
Holding a diaper drive is not a new concept, but through Bundles of Hope, those efforts can be streamlined, making it easier for people and civic groups to participate.
Right now, Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood is asking every family in its congregation to donate a box of diapers or write a check during the month of January. There are donation boxes stationed throughout the church and the office is accepting “dollars for diapers.” The church is encouraging public participation as well.
Cel Bailey is the president of the United Methodist Women’s center in Birmingham. She said, “It’s the new year, what better time to do something for others while you are already at Walmart or the drug store.”
Most day care centers require parents to supply diapers, and the inability to do so can affect a family’s access to job opportunities if they don’t have someone to care for their children.
“You hear horror stories about people leaving children in diapers too long because they don’t have enough,” Bailey said.
The Bundle of Joy website offers information about how to host a diaper drive and resources for those in need of diapers.
During a “Stuff the Bus” event in the fall, Bundles of Hope gathered more than 117,000 diapers in a week.
Diaper banks organized through Bundles of Hope will accept any size diapers. The organization also appreciates donations of money and time.
For more information, visit bundlesdiaperbank.org.
