By Great Start Parent Coalition
Diapers can cost a family 700 or 800 dollars a year for one child, and there is no public assistance to help cover that expense. The Great Start Parent Coalition recognized a need to help families access diapers and started the Diaper Drive in 2009. Eight years later, the parent group is preparing to hit a milestone: one-million diapers distributed to families throughout the community.
“We heard stories about babies being forced to stay in the same diaper for a full day or sometimes going without a diaper at all,” said Jessica Turk of the Great Start Parent Coalition.
“Parents want to be able to provide for their children, but the cost of diapers is more than many families in our community can afford,” said Turk.
Reaching the one-million diaper mark is only possible because of the generosity of the community. People have made monetary donations to the Diaper Drive or filled drop-off boxes throughout Kent County. To thank people for their support, the Great Start Parent Coalition is inviting the public to the Drive For 1 Million Celebration on Friday, Dec. 8.
- WHAT: Drive For 1 Million Celebration to thank the community for its support of the Great Start Parent Coalition Diaper Drive
- WHERE: Grand Rapids Children’s Museum, 11 Sheldon Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
- WHEN: Friday, Dec. 8, 2017, 6-9 p.m.
This is a FREE event for families. Attendees will have a chance to enjoy the exhibits at the Grand Rapids Children’s Museum. Hot chocolate and appetizers will be served. Attendees are encouraged to bring a box of diapers to donate or make a financial donation at the event. Community members can RSVP by calling the Great Start Parent Coalition at 616.632.1007.
“The community has embraced the Diaper Drive from day one,” said Anthony Queen of the Great Start Parent Coalition. “We have collected diapers at banks, children’s clothing stores, and even baseball games. We are grateful to the community for all of the support.”
The Great Start Parent Coalition will not stop collecting diapers once it hits the one-million mark. For more information on how to contribute, visit www.DiaperDriveKent.org. The diapers are given to 29 food pantries throughout Kent County, which then distribute them to families.
