Senator Collins Joins Bipartisan Group in Introducing Resolution Supporting Diaper Banks

Statement

U.S. Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing a resolution recognizing the importance of diaper banks across the country. Diapers can be costly, and diaper banks provide them free of charge to families in need. Specifically, the Senators acknowledged the important role diaper banks play in the aftermath of natural disasters, including Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, the California wildfires, and the floods in the Midwest.

National Diaper Bank Network is headquartered in New Haven, Connecticut. In 2017, the more than 300 nonprofit diaper banks and diaper pantries that are members of the National Diaper Bank Network helped more than 225,000 children in need receive diapers. Maine's two NDBN-member diaper banks--Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services in Portland and the We Care Community Center in Machias--distribute 270,013 diapers annually.

"Diaper banks across the country, including the Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services in Portland and the We Care Community Center in Machias, provide tremendous support to families in need," said Senator Collins. "I am proud to sponsor this resolution, which recognizes the important work volunteers at diaper banks do to provide families with the resources they need to care for their children."

"Diaper need impacts one in three U.S. families who struggles to provide enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry, and healthy," said National Diaper Bank Network CEO Joanne Goldblum. "Many families simply do not earn enough to purchase the diapers their child needs to stay clean, dry and healthy. In fact, diapers alone can consume up to 14 percent of a low-income parent's post-tax earnings. These situations become even worse in the aftermath of natural disasters. Numerous local diaper banks and committed volunteers across the country tirelessly serve their communities and work to end diaper need, but there is still much more to do. We are grateful for the Senators' leadership and look forward to working with them to ensure that families have what they need to thrive."

In addition to Senator Collins, the resolution was introduced by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Doug Jones (D-AL), Mike Braun (R-IN), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Robert Casey (D-PA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tina Smith (D-MN), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), John Hoeven (R-ND), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV).

Source