Diaper need – the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy – can adversely affect the health and well-being of babies, toddlers, and their families. National surveys and research studies report that one in three families struggles with diaper need and 48 percent delay changing a diaper to extend their supply, as children go through six to 12 diapers each day during the two to three years they wear diapers.
Purchasing enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy can consume 14 percent of a low-wage family’s post-tax income, making it difficult to obtain a sufficient supply. A daily or weekly supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for babies and toddlers to participate in child care programs and quality early-education programs.
Without enough diapers, babies and toddlers risk infections and health problems that may require medical attention, and may prevent parents from attending work or school, thereby hurting the family’s economic prospects and well-being.
The people of Marana recognize that diaper need is a public health issue, and addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for the state’s families and communities and to improved health for children, thus ensuring all children and families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential.
Diaper banks and their staff and volunteers served on the front lines of Marana’s COVID-19 pandemic response helping families in our communities weather the crisis, and while experiencing double, triple, or greater increase in demand for diapers due to the pandemic and economic shutdown, these diaper banks did everything in their ability to increase diaper distributions and support children and families in need of immediate assistance.
Therefore, Mayor Honea and the Marana Town Council do hereby declare the week of September 21–27, 2020, as, “Diaper Need Awareness Week” in the Town of Marana, and thank the aforementioned diaper banks, their staff, volunteers, and donors for their courageous service during the COVID-19 crisis, and encourage the citizens of Marana to donate generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to those struggling with diaper need, so that all of Marana’s children and families can thrive and reach their full potential.
