Closing the Gap: Why Diapers Matter and How You Can Help

Diapers are one of the most essential items for families with young children, but unlike many other necessities, they fall outside the safety net of public assistance. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and WIC, which help families afford groceries, cannot be used to purchase non-food items like diapers or other hygiene products.

This gap creates a difficult reality for many families in Iowa and across the country. Even households receiving food assistance must still cover the full cost of diapers out of pocket. And those costs add up quickly. On average, families spend about $80* per month per child on disposable diapers, depending on age and usage. Infants can require up to 12* diapers a day, making this a constant and unavoidable expense.

For families already balancing tight budgets, this can mean making impossible choices between paying for rent, buying food, or keeping their child clean and healthy. Because most childcare providers require parents to supply disposable diapers, not having enough can even impact a parent’s ability to work or attend school.

Diapers are a basic need, not a luxury. Yet without coverage through programs like SNAP or WIC, many families are left without consistent access to them. 

CommUnity Baby Shower is a month-long drive aimed at providing baby items to local families with young children. Hosting your own “baby shower” drive helps our littlest neighbors stay dry and healthy all year long. 

Donations of diapers, baby wipes, and formula can be dropped off at CommUnity Food Bank during operating hours.

*According to Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank