For the months of September and October, Pamlico Partnership for Children (PPFC) is collecting disposable diapers as part of it’s “No Child Wet Behind” annual diaper drive. Diapers and donations collected will benefit children and families in Pamlico County.

This successful outreach began 5 years ago with support from local churches, businesses, agencies and individuals. Last year approximately 68 Pamlico County families were provided diapers and baby items through this program.

To receive diapers a family may drop by or call Pamlico Partnership once per month to request diapers. The staff then completes an intake and ensures the family is aware services in our area.  The diaper outreach provides a door for the partnership to connect and support families and ensures that babies are cared for.

PPFC hopes to raise awareness about the challenges that so many families are faced with in order to keep their babies in clean and dry diapers. Unlike baby formula and food, diapers are not covered by the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) that means parents are forced to make hard choices: food or diapers? Food assistance is available from local charities and food banks, but getting free diapers is a harder task. Local organizations that carry diapers run out to them quickly.

Lower- income families and especially single parents often struggle to keep their child in diapers. Disposable diapers typically cost parents about $100-$150 per month for one baby. For the first year of a baby’s life they go through an average of 10 diapers per day, that 3650 diapers! And while they use less diapers as they get older, most children are not potty trained until between 2 and 3 years old.

Often parents compensate by keeping their child in dirty diapers longer, which can lead to bad rashes or even staph infections, reusing soiled diapers, and even resorting to using plastic bags to serve as a diaper. Parents are also required to provide disposable diapers for their children who attend daycare, nurseries and childcare centers.

Diapers may be dropped off at a Pamlico Partnership for Children, 702A Main St, Bayboro (located beside Bayboro Pharmacy) Larger size disposable diapers are needed (sizes 3,4,5,6).

We prefer No Pull-Ups. Wipes are also needed.

Monetary donations are also welcome: checks can be made payable to Pamlico Partnership for Children, 702A Main St, Bayboro NC 28515.

For more information on the diaper collection or diaper distribution contact Pamlico Partnership for Children at 252-745-7850

All diapers and funds collected benefit only Pamlico County, not the surrounding areas.