On average, a family is short 50 diapers per child each month. One in two American families experience diaper need—a startling fact—or the lack of access to a sufficient supply of clean diapers to keep a baby healthy, comfortable, dry, and safe. When parents aren’t able to afford enough diapers for their child, it leads to health issues for babies, missed childcare opportunities, and increased financial stress for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Iris Coker is a single mother who experienced firsthand the stress of not having enough diapers for her daughter when she was young. In her search for help, she discovered there were no public assistance programs available to support families in need of diapers and other sanitary items essential for little ones. The experience stayed with her, and later, along with her friend Lara Smith, inspired the creation of the Columbus Diaper Coalition. Their goal is to ensure other families experiencing hardship don’t have to face the same, stressful challenge Coker did as a new mother.

Established in 2013, the Columbus Diaper Coalition (CDC) is a nonprofit serving families in the Greater Columbus area who are facing financial hardship, experiencing diaper need.

“Our purpose is to close a critical gap not covered by [other] public assistance programs,” Laura Mullins, CDC’s Executive Director, says. “While resources like the WIC (a supplemental nutrition program for women, infants, and children) and SNAP (a supplemental nutrition assistance program providing food benefits to low-income families) support families in important ways, they do not cover diapers, leaving many families struggling to meet this basic need.”

Through a network of partner agencies, the CDC provides free diapers, pull-ups, and baby wipes to local families in need, helping ensure babies have access to clean diapers—an essential item for their health, comfort, and overall well-being.

There are many ways the community can get involved, Mullins explains. The most obvious way is by donating diapers or baby wipes to the CDC, headquartered in Hilliard, at 3840 Lacon Rd. #12. The nonprofit accepts and welcomes diaper sizes newborn-size 7, pull-ups, swim diapers, and baby wipes. 

“Our most critical needs are sizes 2, 4, 5, 6, pull-ups, and baby wipes,” Mullins says. “We also accept open care packages or loose diapers that children have outgrown or may no longer need”

Community members can also host or coordinate their own diaper drives (schools, libraries, community centers, or places of worship are all great spots), or make a monetary donation, which allows the organization to purchase diapers at bulk discount and helps offset essential costs like rent, utilities, and supplies.

Residents can also volunteer at packing events to help diapers for distribution or other fundraising events, or even become a local business drop-off location, helping to expand the CDC’s reach by offering a convenient and safe place for donors to bring new or outgrown diapers. 

“People are more apt to donate if the location is close to where they live or work,” Mullins offers. “Community support is truly the heart of our work, and every donation or volunteer hour helps make a meaningful difference for local families.”

Keep up with the Columbus Diaper Coalition by following them on Instagram @cbusdiaperco where you can easily contribute to their Amazon and Target wishlists, donate to the organization through Venmo, and obtain more information on their website.