Now in its ninth year, the Ecumenical Diaper Bank has distributed tens of thousands of diapers to help Lincoln County babies remain clean, dry, and healthy. More than 10,000 diapers and pull-ups were provided to babies in low-income families just last year, and the diaper bank will exceed that number this year.
Due to rising costs and the fact pandemic aid has gone away while SNAP does not pay for diapers and wipes, the need for diaper aid in the community is high.
Before the pandemic, the diaper bank held an annual diaper drive between Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. This year the diaper drive returns to help meet this historic need. The diaper drive will run through Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, in supporting churches and at select area locations.
A couple supporting churches have continued to hold diaper collections, and letters to the newspaper have yielded some donations over these last few years, but now need is up in Lincoln County.
The biggest need is for funds to purchase in bulk, larger diapers (size 3 and up) and pull-ups (for older toddlers potty training). The Ecumenical Diaper Bank has exhausted its overstock supply of diapers and is purchasing more often. Babies use up to 12 diapers per day, costing families up to $1,200 per year.
Checks can be made out to Damariscotta Baptist Church with “diapers” on the memo line, and mailed to Midcoast Friends Meeting at P.O. Box 714, Damariscotta, ME, 04543.
Donations can also be brought to any of the supporting churches: Damariscotta Baptist Church, Midcoast Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Midcoast Friends Meeting, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Second Congregational Church, Twin Villages Baptist Church, and Water of Life Lutheran Church.
Diapers are distributed through the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Newcastle, the Waldoboro Clothes Closet, and the Jefferson Area Food Pantry.
For more information call diaper bank manager Sue Rockwood at 350-0804.
