St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Launches
2014
We begin distributing 1,200 diapers annually with 1 partner
Our Story
The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank believes all of us: babies, children, and adults deserve to be clean and dry.
MISSION
Building healthy communities by ending diaper need and period poverty through access, education, and advocacy.
Purpose
St. Louis Area Diaper Bank strives to make a health, social and economic impact by not only providing diapers and period supplies but by connecting them to these resources and other resources through our partner agencies. Providing families in need with free diapers and period supplies influences a range of positive outcomes, such as positive changes in parental mood (reducing the risk of childhood abuse); improved child health and happiness (nurturing their ability to learn); and increased opportunities for childcare, work stability, and school attendance.
Vision
Everyone has the basic hygiene products needed to live healthy, dignified, and empowered lives.
Values
Collaboration | Change Leadership | Tenacity | Equity | Kindness | Advocacy | Inclusion | Strategy | Passion
Our Story
The St. Louis Area Diaper bank was formed in 2014 after the founder heard a story on the radio from the director of the National Diaper Bank Network about the prevalence of diaper need across the country, about how 1 in 3 mothers routinely finds herself without enough diapers to keep her child clean and dry. There are many stories of families across the country making tough choices between diapers and food or medicine, being forced to leave little ones for far too long in dirty diapers, and even having to reuse soiled diapers because they couldn’t afford to buy more.
The period supply program was added in 2019/2020 after the study on period poverty in St. Louis was published by Dr. Anne Sebert Kuhlman at Saint Louis University. The study showed the prevalence of period poverty among low-income women and girls.
The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank partners with other nonprofits and agencies that work with families and individuals in need. Through community product drives and donations, we collect or purchase diapers and period supplies and distribute them to a wide variety of service agencies, community, and faith-based organizations. The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank believes all of us: babies, children, and adults deserve to be clean and dry.