VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Central New York Diaper Bank expands access to diapers for families in need
Madyson Diaz: For many low-income families, there’s a daily struggle that often goes unnoticed…access to diapers. But the Central New York Diaper Bank is working to change that. Program manager Melissa Grabowski is leading the effort to meet the growing need for diapers in the community.
Melissa Grabowski: The mission of the Diaper Bank is to help families in need. Some of the obstacles that families face are the high price of diapers. And they’re forced to choose between diapers and food sometimes, or paying for rent.
Diaz: The CNY Diaper Bank provides diapers for about 3,700 children, distributing nearly 200,000 diapers across Central New York each month. Since 2016, the CNY Diaper Bank has distributed over 10 million diapers– and that number is only growing. Thanks to a new free diaper program, funded by New York state and administered by Onondaga County’s Department of Social Services, the Diaper Bank will now distribute even more diapers to families enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program.
Grabowski: Rather than receiving 50 diapers a month, you can receive 200 diapers a month per child, which should eliminate the need to have to purchase diapers.
Diaz: The Diaper Bank works with about 50 agencies across Onondaga County, including Help Me Grow. Families in need can call the Help Me Grow hotline by dialing 211 to learn how to access free diapers and other resources. In Liverpool, New York, I’m Madyson Diaz, NCC News.
LIVERPOOL, N.Y. (NCC News) — For thousands of families across Central New York, diapers are not just a baby item– they’re a financial burden. Unlike food or healthcare, diapers are not covered by most public assistance programs, leaving many parents scrambling to afford this basic necessity.
That’s where the Central New York Diaper Bank comes in. The Liverpool-based nonprofit has been quietly making a big difference since 2016, distributing over 10 million diapers to families in need. Today, the organization supports about 3,700 children each month.
“The mission of the diaper bank is to help families in need,” said Melissa Grabowski, program manager at the CNY Diaper Bank. “Some of the obstacles that families face are the high price of diapers. And they’re forced to choose between diapers and food sometimes, or paying for rent.”
To meet the growing need, the Diaper Bank has partnered with Onondaga County’s Department of Social Services to launch a new initiative funded by New York state. The program offers 200 free diapers per child each month to families enrolled in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program– quadrupling the previous amount of 50.
“Rather than receiving 50 diapers a month, you can receive 200 diapers a month per child,” Grabowski said. “Which should eliminate the need to have to purchase diapers.”
The timing is critical. A pack of 32 diapers costs around $10 and according to Babylist.com, Newborns typically go through 10 to 12 diapers each day, while babies over six months still require around five daily. For struggling families, the monthly costs add up quickly– especially when caring for multiple children.
The CNY Diaper Bank works with a network of around 50 local agencies, including Help Me Grow, to distribute diapers across Onondaga County. Families looking for assistance can call 211 to get connected to nearby services and find out how to access free diapers and other resources.
For more information or to donate, visit cnydiaperbank.org.