Gov. Little takes action to address Idaho Diaper Bank's critical shortage
BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Like many things, diaper prices have gone up as much as 20%, an increase some can't afford.
"Diapers are expensive. One child is one hundred dollars or more," said Traci Lofthus, executive director for the Idaho Diaper Bank.
Rising prices have caused an overwhelming demand at the Idaho Diaper Bank. Now, the organization is facing a critical shortage.
"There is a huge need in Idaho. There's 46% of our toddlers three and under that live in low-income families," Lofthus said.
Since 2014, the Idaho Diaper Bank has helped thousands of families in need.
"I didn't even realize, even though I had kids at home, babies in diapers, that there were families struggling to provide the basic necessity of proper hygiene and that just shakes me. Still to this day, as a community, how do we ban together, so that doesn't have to be an issue," said Shawna Walz, founder and board chair for the Idaho Diaper Bank.
But now, something so important is so hard to get your hands on.
"No baby should have to sit in the same wet diaper all day," Walz said.
On Wednesday, Governor Brad Little signed a proclamation to address the need naming Sept. 24 through Oct. 2 Diaper Need Awareness Week.
"A lot of it is just making people think. You know, they give money to their local foodbank, and they give money to their homeless shelter, but we want to raise up the need for diapers on people's radar screen," Gov. Little said.
The diaper bank hopes this proclamation will shed light on this issue and encourage people to help.
"We need people to understand that these are low-income people. These are not jobless people. These are people living paycheck to paycheck, and they need assistance," Lofthus said.
If you want to help, there will be a diaper drive going on until Sunday, October 2.
Here are the drop-off locations:
1. First Christian Church in Nampa
3. Children's Museum of Idaho in Meridian
5. All Terry Reilly Health Services locations
You can also donate money online by clicking here.
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