13 Feb 2024

Get to Know Nebraska Diaper Bank

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Get to Know Nebraska Diaper Bank

In 2014, the Westwood Church and Prairie Lane Christian Reformed Church formed a LIFEhouse initiative to create the early beginnings of The Nebraska Diaper Bank. The original collaboration between the organizations initially aimed to provide food and diapers for the local community. This included the area from 120th to 132nd Street around the neighborhoods of West Center Road.

The organization comes from humble beginnings as a small operation. The group would service the community’s needs with a simple visit to Target. This visit could fill up a cart to stock the shelves for the month. However, its popularity with the local community grew rapidly, causing the management to shift to the diaper bank model founded by the National Diaper Bank Network.

Get to Know Nebraska Diaper Bank

The Community Need

Nebraska Diaper Bank offers community members diapers via partnerships with other organizations to assist needy families. Research shows one in three Nebraskan households battle to pay for necessities for their family, including diapers.

Nebraska Diaper Bank aims to provide diapers for families needing this basic necessity for their children and services the community by partnering with social service agencies. The result – happy and healthy babies.

This social program helps Nebraskan parents escape the cycle of poverty. Especially in an economic climate where an increased cost of living is a serious concern for many households.

Nebraska Diaper Bank – Operations & Achievements

Rebranded under its current name, the Nebraska Diaper Bank, purchases 85% of diapers it distributes from a national purchasing channel network and the remainder from private donors. It will accept diapers from open packages, provided they’re clean.

The organization operates a warehouse in Omaha, NE at 91st and F street. The storage facility relies on volunteers to carry out operations. People offer time and effort to wrap diaper packages for collection by partner agencies. Agencies like Catholic Charities and the Open Door Mission, distribute them throughout Nebraskan communities.

The warehouse receives frequent deliveries via semi-trailer trucks. The majority of volunteers at the warehouse are women retirees. They pack diapers into bundles and secure them with plastic wrap before including a Nebraska Diaper Bank card.

The Nebraska Diaper Bank runs an ongoing distribution program. It supplies 60 to 80 diapers per month to children of low-income families under three years of age. Parents collect the diapers from sites operated by independent partners.

This model creates a ripple effect amongst Nebraskan communities offering giving access to other vital services like basic needs. This includes healthcare, and case management to alleviate financial pressure on low-income families.

Diaper Distribution

In 2022, the Nebraska Diaper Bank distributed 1,337,430 units for 5,777 babies, and close to three million in 2023. The results are impressive.

  • 82% of parents could afford to pay their bills or increase their savings.
  • 38% of families report they could afford to attend school or work.
  • 65% of families say they experience reduced financial stress.
  • 82% of families report their children are happier, healthier, and sleep better.

The organization is always looking for strategies to expand distribution capabilities and services throughout the state. These expansion strategies increased diaper distribution to needy families by 125%. It also increased its collaboration and support from partners by 58%.

Donate to the Nebraska Diaper Bank

Nebraska Warehouse will be hosting a drive for the Nebraska Diaper Bank collecting diapers/wipes/cash. If you wish to donate, please bring in items February 15th-19th or donate online.

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