About
Founded in 2004, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut centralizes the fundraising and distribution of free infant and toddler diapers, youth incontinence supplies, period products, and adult incontinence supplies to low-income families in Connecticut through existing service providers, including local food pantries, soup kitchens, daycare centers, social service agencies and shelters.
The nonprofit serves as a model for like-minded organizations across the country. The Diaper Bank of Connecticut has distributed more than 31 million free diapers to poor and low-income families through its extensive Diaper Distribution Network (DDN) of more than 100 agencies throughout CT. The Diaper Bank collects diapers and cash donations from individuals, corporations, foundations and other sources for the bulk purchase and distribution of diapers, which are then distributed through the DDN. All of the families we serve are low-income.
The Diaper Bank of Connecticut is governed by a volunteer board of directors and staffed by 11 employees. We have an active volunteer program that assists with sorting and repacking, ranging from girl scouts, to high school and university students, to community organizations and corporations.
Mission + History
The Diaper Bank of Connecticut’s mission is threefold in scope:
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- To ensure that families living in poverty have an adequate supply of diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products;
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- To raise community awareness that “basic human needs” include diapers, period supplies, and incontinence products and that these needs are not being met for individuals and families living in poverty;
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- To advocate for policy reform so that diapers, period supplies, incontinence products are included in the definition of and provision for the “basic human needs” of families.
History of The Diaper Bank of Connecticut
The Diaper Bank of Connecticut was founded in June 2004 as The New Haven Diaper Bank in response to the lack of public assistance for purchasing diapers for poor and low-income families. Recognizing that an inadequate supply of diapers puts families with young children at an increased risk for health and parenting complications, The New Haven Diaper Bank (NHDB) began distributing diapers to poor and low-income families in New Haven through approved social service agencies.
Responding to the lack of other avenues for assistance, and recognizing the subsequent economic, psycho-social and physical stressors placed on economically vulnerable women and families at critical times, The Diaper Bank of Connecticut held its first diaper distribution in July 2004 at the home of founder Joanne Goldblum. That first distribution provided fewer than 5,000 diapers to 5 flagship agencies. Since 2004, The Diaper Bank has distributed more than 31 million free diapers to families through our nationally recognized Diaper Distribution Network (DDN), which are approved local partnership agencies.
Key Achievements
- The Diaper Bank has distributed 33 million diapers since its inception in 2004
- Successfully advocated for the first line item for diapers in a state budget
- Advocated and implemented TANF ARRA Stimulus funding to provide an emergency supply of diapers to all CT TANF eligible families with children in diapers (over 2 million diapers in 6 weeks)
- Testified and advocated for period supplies to be provided in high schools and universities
- Launched Diaper Connections with the Connecticut Hospital Association and Department of Housing
- Selected for the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls
- Serves as a model for diaper banks nationwide