GREENFIELD — There is a growing need for diapers in the region and, unfortunately, needs are becoming more and more difficult to satisfy for caregivers across Franklin County and the North Quabbin.
That’s why the Franklin County Diaper Task Force is holding its fourth annual diaper drive, at a time in the year when there is an urgent need — culminating with a grand diaper collection event, Thursday, June 15, from 4 to 6 p.m., at the Episcopal Church of Saints James and Andrew at 8 Church St.
About 6,000 diapers a month go out to caregivers in the area across the eight centers for distribution in the region, and centered in Greenfield at Community Action.
Over the past year, needs have doubled at some centers, with the Greenfield center distributing 1,200 diapers in April, from the 500 to 600 back in September, task force member Marianne Bullock said. The reason why there is such a spike in need in the community is unclear to Bullock, but it’s likely a combination of more babies in the area and more knowledge of the services that can be provided.
“Right now, there really is a critical need for the diaper drive. It just so happens that it lines up between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day,” Bullock said.
Between the help of local partners, like the hospital, who will typically donate a sizable amount of diapers to Greenfield Savings Bank and other businesses, the diaper drive itself tends to bring in enough diapers for six-month supply.
“This is a resource that, one, not everyone in the community knows about it and, two, a lot of people are using, so let’s keep it going,” Bullock said.
It’s a task force that is run by local volunteers, who see the need for the service.
“The diaper task force isn’t owned by an organization or any agency, we all just come together to do it because we know it’s really a necessity for those families we work with,” Bullock said.
For individuals who would like to donate before the diaper collection event, they can drop off diapers to several different locations, including Community Action at 393 Main St., or at its location on Federal Street.
Monetary donations are also accepted. Although $25 will purchase a typical wholesale box of 106 diapers, Bullock encourages people to donate whatever they can. She said that it comes to about 16 cents a diaper when all factors are included.
“Any amount of donation really matters,” Bullock said. “A donation of five bucks really goes a long way.”
The task force’s donor information form says that $4 can suffice for a day’s supply and a month’s supply can be funded with about $100.
The sizes with the most demand typically are 4, 5 and 6.