LANSING, Mich. — Capital Area United Way is on a mission to help low-income families who can’t afford diapers for their children. Together with LAFCU and Lansing Ignite as partners, diapers are being collected for local nonprofits for distribution to families in need.
With no direct government assistance for diapers, many local nonprofits are unable to maintain an adequate supply due to an increasing demand from families known by United Way as “ALICE,” which is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Additionally, most coin-operated laundromats do not allow cloth diapers to be washed because of health and sanitary reasons, which eliminates this option for those who live in apartments or low-income housing.
This drive alone will stock local shelves for several months and will immediately be put to use by people in desperate need. Baby and adult diapers of all sizes and wipes are an essential necessity for the most vulnerable residents who cannot afford the expense of diapers and often are forced to choose between food and utilities and items such as diapers. One in three families struggle to provide clean diapers for their babies, who need an average of 200 per month.
“This is the third year we are conducting the diaper drive,” said Michelle Lantz, senior vice president of Capital Area United Way. “Financially challenged families struggle to afford the basics, forcing some families to leave their babies in diapers longer than they should, which is unhealthy. By providing diapers, we can keep those precious babies healthy and alleviate some the financial burden families face.”
Community members can donate infant, toddler and adult diapers along with wipes at any tri-county LAFCU branch as well as any Lansing Ignite home game.
Capital Area United Way is committed to uniting people and resources to solve defined problems and improve the quality of life for individuals and families in our communities. This diaper drive is one example of how United Way identifies a community need and mobilizes human and monetary resources to meet that need.
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