MIAMI – Nearly half of all babies in the United States do not have enough diapers, but there is an organization in South Florida working to put an end to that problem for local families.
“It’s great, it’s tremendous help, believe me. You have no idea,” said Elizabeth Tirador.
So many mothers across South Florida are incredibly grateful to the Miami Diaper Bank for providing them with much needed essentials for the most important people in their lives, their babies.
“We’ve all been affected in some way somehow. The increase of everything is affecting all of us and this is majorly helping me with my pocket with a baby now,” said Tirador.
Once a month, the Miami Diaper Bank partners with 52 different organizations throughout South Florida to provide diapers, pull ups, baby wipes, rash cream, humidifiers and more to the most at risk families for free.
The essential items would otherwise cost more than $100 if the families were to go to a retail store to purchase them.
Gabiela Rojas, the Executive Director of the Miami Diaper Bank, said the organization serves 100 new babies every month, which can average 30,000 to 35,000 babies each year.
Rojas told Local 10′s Nicole Perez she started with the organization as a volunteer when her son was only six months old.
“I was a recipient of a government assistance program, like food stamps and WIC, and I did see myself having to ask my family nearby for dollars to purchase diapers,” said Rojas.
Rojas said her favorite part about the organization is seeing the smiles on the babies faces.
Walgrens partnered with Local 10 News to give the organization more than $1,000 worth of diapers to provide them to families in need.
“We want them to think that Walgreens is there for them for whatever they need we’re going to do the best we can to support them in the community and individual,” said Danny Tse, Walgreens District Manager.
The diapers and donations are held year-round. The organization’s warehouse in Hialeah can hold up to a million diapers. Right now, they have 600,000 available for families in need.
Last year, the Miami Diaper Bank provided 1.9 million diapers to families and their goal is to reach two million or more this year.
For more information about how you can volunteer or donate to the organization, click on this link.