Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank

The mission of the Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank is to build healthier lives free of diaper rash and infections caused by delayed changing of diapers because of “diaper need.” Diaper need is defined as the inability to have enough diapers on hand to keep a baby clean, dry, and healthy, due to a lack of financial resources. The GHR Diaper Bank is a volunteer-run, non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization that is committed to addressing diaper need in our community. GHR Diaper Bank operates in a way similar to a food bank: we ask for donations of disposable diapers and seek monetary donations to buy diapers to distribute free-of-charge to families in need. While this request for funding focuses specifically on diapers for infants and toddlers, our services include diapers and related supplies for disabled and elderly adults as well. We work in conjunction with a network of more than 40 faith-based and social services organizations throughout the Hampton Roads area. The GHR Diaper Bank is led by a 4-member, volunteer Board of Directors. The members of the Board undertake all the administrative and most of the daily operational activities. There is no regular, daily staff, per se. Operations are enhanced as needed by individual and group volunteers as well as the Partner organizations. All funds received by the GHR Diaper Bank go directly to our basic program: purchasing diapers and related supplies and distributing them to families in need.

Our vision is simply stated: “No Child Wet Behind.” More broadly, the objective of the Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank is to combat the adverse health effects of diaper need by assisting lower-income families with a basic necessity in the health care of infants and toddlers: diapers. When a family has access to clean diapers, they can avoid the financial, emotional, and health consequences of diaper need. With access to clean, dry diapers children are less at risk of rashes, infections, and other health issues. Families do not have to resort to cleaning out soiled diapers and reusing them or making diapers out of plastic bags, newspapers, and towels as emergency measures. With sufficient disposable diapers to take to a day care facility, parents can go to work or to school. By working to alleviate diaper need in our area, we are helping to build healthier families and communities.

Goal One: Each month, our 50 Partner agencies request about 80,00 diapers based on the need they have identified in their locale. With our current resources, we can meet about 80% of those requests. Our goal is not only to improve that percentage, but also to add more Partners to expand our reach in Hampton Roads.