United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ Women United leadership group is hosting a diaper drive in order to provide a desperately needed resource to families in our community. There are many parents and caregivers in Monmouth and Ocean counties who unfortunately lack a sufficient supply of diapers for their young children to remain clean, dry and healthy. Diapers cost an average of $80 a month for one baby, and they cannot be obtained with WIC, food stamps, or any other government program. Diaper need can be more distressing than not having enough food for their family. Parents with diaper need have also reported more difficulty with stress management and coping with trauma, which can negatively affect a child's growth and development.
“Financial challenges existed for many families prior to the COVID-19 crisis, but now with additional obstacles such as job loss, rising costs of food and scarcity of basic necessities, they are having to make even more difficult decisions about how their limited funds are spent,” said Kelly Fliller, Chair of United Way of Monmouth and Ocean Counties’ Women United. “Part of Women United’s mission is to improve the lives of youth and their families, so we are very happy to help supply this unmet need, especially during these uncertain and unprecedented times.”
Diapers in any size, any brand and in any amount can be donated through Women United’s Target wish list now through June 19, 2020: tgt.gifts/WomenUnitedDiaper. Diapers can also be purchased in stores and dropped off at the United Way office on Thursday, June 18th from 12pm-4pm or Friday, June 19th from 9am-1pm. The office is located at 4814 Outlook Drive in Wall Township, NJ and donations can be brought to the United Way van in the back parking lot. Arrangements can also be made for curbside pick-up if needed.
For more information about the Diaper Drive, please visit uwmoc.org/diaper-drive or contact Jackie Liguori at 848-206-2037 or jliguori@uwmoc.org.