Founded in 1994, the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona was the first diaper bank in the nation.
More than 130 diaper banks now exist. The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona remains unique in that it is still the only diaper bank to take donations for children and adults.
"We work with over 50 organizations that provide services like teen parenting and family planning," says Executive Director Leslie Schellie. "We are not just providing diapers, we are also trying to help people put of poverty."
December brings in the most donations, although the organization accepts diaper and nominal donations year round. With diapers for children costing families up to $100 a month, the need for donations is constant.
"What some people don't realize is even with programs like WIC (Women, Infant and Children, a food program for the poor), formula is covered but diapers are not," says Board President Rachele Peterson.
Last fiscal year the organization provided diapers to 14,500 families.
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