Dozens of families from the Battle Creek community come to Parkway Manor each month to accept diapers during the Battle Creek Diaper Network’s distribution events.
Families can take up to 35 diapers, though Program Coordinator Denise Rucker said she would eventually like to bump that number up to 50. Infants need an average of 12 diapers per day and toddlers an average of eight. They go fast.
“It’s really a big necessity,” she said.
The Battle Creek Diaper Network is one of more than 30 organizations that have signed up to receive diapers from the 2018 United Way Diaper Drive, now in its second week of collection.
The full list of recipients, found below, includes schools, child care centers and nonprofit agencies that will get diapers into the hands of families throughout the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo area that struggle to afford them.
The B.C. Diaper Network got its start in 2016 as a small diaper drive led by Battle Creek native Dr. Michael Glass, who after talking with residents at Parkway Manor, recognized diapers as a big need in the community, Rucker said. That effort grew into monthly distribution events, which now include visits from Willard Library and other community organizations. Supporters include B.C. Pulse and Calhoun ISD.
Future plans could include adding toilet training workshops, Rucker said, which would help eliminate the prolonged need for the Pull-Ups or other expensive training pants that are in high demand among Diaper Network families.
There is no qualification requirement needed to receive diapers, and distribution events are held on the last Wednesday of each month at Parkway Manor. More than 100 families have benefited regularly since the Network’s start, Rucker said. She sees an average of 50 each month.
“They really, really appreciate it,” she said. “With the money they save on diapers, families can use the money for other things like food, or to pay bills.”
B.C. Diaper Network was a Diaper Drive recipient last year as well, and staff worked several volunteer shifts, Rucker said.
“It was wonderful.”
Your donations of diapers or funds will help organizations like B.C. Diaper Network provide much-needed assistance to low-income families struggling to keep their young children dry and healthy. Help us promote family and infant health by donating or volunteering in this year’s United Way Diaper Drive!
Click here to learn how you can help.
2018 Recipient List
- Alternatives of Battle Creek
- Battle Creek Public Schools
- BC Diaper Network
- Calhoun ISD Birth-to-3 Program
- Charitable Union
- Community Unlimited
- Cradle Connections
- Family Enrichment Center
- Grace Health MIHP
- Haven of Rest
- Kids Campus, Inc.
- S.A.F.E. Place
- The Salvation Army
- Baby Pantry at First United Methodist Church
- Alternatives of Kalamazoo
- Catholic Charities Caring Network
- Community Learning Center
- Diapers Etc. at St. Barnabas Church
- Douglass Community Association
- Family and Children Services
- GFM The Synergy Center
- Healthy Families America
- Kalamazoo RESA Early On & Seeds for Success
- Kalamazoo RESA Head Start
- Portage Community Center
- Samaritas Family Reunification Program
- Savior’s Hoe Health Care
- St. Luke’s Diaper Bank
- The Salvation Army Kalamazoo
- Twenty Hands
- YWCA Kalamazoo
- Kalamazoo County