Tri-Valley Community Diaper Drive Challenge Coming in October

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

According to Pleasanton's Child Care Links, a private, non-profit agency advocating for quality child care, babies need six to ten diapers per day. At $18 or more per week, the cost of those diapers adds up quickly, and can top $1,000 over the course of a year.

"One in three moms in the U.S. suffers from what we call diaper need, which is the struggle to provide babies with clean, dry diapers," says Laura Page, outreach and events coordinator for Child Care Links. "Imagine choosing between diapers and paying the electric bill or putting gas in your car. Chances are you won't face this scenario, but it's a common challenge for economically insecure families in the Tri-Valley. In fact, hundreds of babies are born in the Tri-Valley every year into families living below the poverty level, and safety net programs such as WIC and CalFresh do not cover the cost of diapers."

Helping those families is the goal of the Tri-Valley Community Diaper Drive Challenge, which will be held from October 17-21. Businesses, non-profits, and other groups are encouraged to form teams to help collect diapers as well as money for the purchase of diapers during this period.

In addition to the knowledge that donors will be providing key assistance to children in need, the most generous team will win prizes and recognition. "The participating group that contributes the most diapers will win a pizza party for a low-income group of their choice at Child Care Links. They will also receive public recognition in the Child Care Links newsletter, our web site, and all our social media sites," says Page.

Participating is easy. Teams can sign up online at bit.ly/Tri-ValleyDiaperDriveChallenge, by calling Page at (925) 249-3920, or by e-mailing her at lpage@childcarelinks.org. Then, when October 17 rolls around, it is time to start collecting diapers!

"Any size and any brand are acceptable," says Page. "The important thing is to make it fun. For example, businesses can run internal contests for the most diapers collected by an individual or allow departments to compete against each other. Child Care Links will be holding daily raffle drawings for their employees who contribute to the drive. Having companies match diaper donations is also an excellent incentive."

Those without a team can participate as well. Unaffiliated individuals can contribute to the Child Care Links Diaper Bank by accessing www.childcarelinks.org and clicking on "Donate Now" under the "About" menu.

The Tri-Valley Community Diaper Drive Challenge is just one way in which Child Care Links benefits the community. "We act as a link between government social service agencies and families. Child care subsidies and financial assistance programs are available for eligible families to assist with child care fees," says Page. "Also, we actively collect and evaluate current information about the emerging needs of the community and develop strategies to meet changing child care trends and regulations. Individual support and educational trainings are offered to child care providers, parents, and the community as well."

For additional info on Child Care Links or the Tri-Valley Community Diaper Drive Chalenge, access the organization's web site at www.childcarelinks.org or call (925) 417-8733.

Photo: The Pleasanton Child Care Links lobby

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