Awareness Week Issues Call to Help 1 in 2 U.S. Babies with "Diaper Need"

NEW HAVEN, Conn., Aug. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- National Diaper Need Awareness Week 2025 (September 15 through 21) will focus on the shocking statistic that 1 in 2 U.S. families with young children struggles to afford the diapers their children need -- and it will offer people a way to help through volunteer opportunities at community-based diaper banks around the country, or by donating diapers and/or dollars.

The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) is issuing a call to action for volunteers nationwide to support NDBN-member diaper banks in their local communities. The call to action invites individuals, groups, and companies to identify a diaper bank near them and sign up to volunteer during National Diaper Need Awareness Week or any time in the months that follow. Our goal is to drive potential volunteers to a directory of more than 200 diaper bank volunteer opportunities across the country and to the NDBN volunteer platform. Opportunities to make a difference abound, from coast to coast.

NDBN's extensive research shows that providing diapers to families keeps babies healthier, improves maternal mental health, ensures children are not excluded from child care, and therefore gives adults more opportunities to work, leading to growth in family income.

Most diaper banks rely on volunteers to help them fulfill their missions. In 2024, 214,000 volunteers gave 1,256,000 hours of their time, valued at $43.7 million, to Network nonprofits. 

Diaper banks are receiving more requests from families for help, as inflation and other factors create economic hardship.

"Our members are equipping more families with basic necessities every day, while also doing the hard work of advocating for policy changes that will wipe out diaper need," said NDBN CEO Joanne Samuel Goldblum. "No matter what your skill set or your available free time, you can power this life-changing work. Volunteers do everything from packaging diapers, to organizing fundraisers, to developing social media content."

In addition to the volunteer mobilization, the week is marked by events at diaper banks throughout the United States; proclamations by governors and mayors; increased media focus on diaper need/diaper insecurity; diaper drives; and more.

"Diaper need, also known as 'diaper insecurity,' is a major public health issue with a straightforward remedy," said Goldblum. "This movement has been growing for 20 years. Each year there are more people holding diapers drives and staffing delivery trucks - and there are also more people urging their elected officials to take action to end diaper need. This problem will end when enough of us say, 'I want to be part of the solution.'"

Also in September, NDBN in partnership with Urban Institute will debut The Diaper Insecurity Dashboard, the first-ever data tool offering in-depth, state-by-state, county-by-county analysis of diaper need/diaper insecurity across the U.S. The Diaper Insecurity Dashboard will deliver critical data that enables nonprofits, lawmakers, agencies, and advocates to develop and implement evidence-based solutions that address diaper insecurity.

About National Diaper Bank Network

The National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) leads a nationwide movement dedicated to helping individuals, children and families access the basic necessities they require to thrive and reach their full potential…including clean, dry diapers, period supplies, and other basic needs. Launched in 2011 with the support of founding sponsor Huggies^®, NDBN is dedicated to creating awareness of diaper need/diaper insecurity and advocating for public policy to end it. The Network is made up of more than 320 basic needs banks serving local communities throughout the U.S. More information on NDBN and diaper need is available at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org, and on Instagram (@DiaperNetwork), X, formerly Twitter (@DiaperNetwork), Facebook (facebook.com/NationalDiaperBankNetwork), and Bluesky (@diapernetwork.bsky.social).

Media Contact:
Troy Moore
203.295.7987

SOURCE National Diaper Bank Network