Our Work

Fox Cities Diaper Bank

NDBN Logoa member of the National Diaper Bank Network

What is the Fox Cities Diaper Bank?

Diaper Bank LogoThe mission of the Fox Cities Diaper Bank is to raise the community's awareness of the need for diapers to assist low income families in meeting their diaper needs.

The groundbreaking Every Little Bottom Study, commissioned by Kimberly-Clark's Huggies® brand reveals diaper need is a critical issue in the United States among low income families. According to the study, 1 in 3 Amercian families struggle with diaper need (not having enough diapers for their baby).

The Huggies® research reinforced studies done by United Way Fox Cities’ Basic Needs & Self-Sufficiency Impact Area that diaper need is a real concern for many families in the Fox Cities. This need resulted in the decision to establish the Fox Cities Diaper Bank, an initiative of United Way Fox Cities, which launched in 2011.

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Why is this important?

In low-income households a baby may be in a single diaper all day, increasing the risk of health problems, from skin disease to hepatitis. Access to a sufficient supply of diapers is essential for the health of our Fox Cities infants, but too many people do not have the resources to adequately provide for this basic need.

  • A healthy change of diapers costs $100.00/month or more for all ages.
  • An infant uses up to 12 diapers a day, a toddler up to 8 per day.  

Parents who cannot afford to provide required disposable diapers for child care, often leave the workforce until their children are out of diapers. Without enough diapers for routine changes, parents feel distressed and find the job of parenting more stressful.

The Facts

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What are we doing?

diaperUnited Way Fox Cities serves as the lead in the coordination/collection of diapers, which are then delivered to designated agencies, and distributed directly to families in need.

The success of diaper drives conducted by local businesses, service organizations and Post-Crescent Media’s Donations for Diapers Campaign are vital to sustaining a true bank of diapers with adequate inventory. On an annual basis, the diaper bank is distributing about 400,000 diapers to local families in need. An average of 900 children receive diapers on a monthly basis.

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How does the Fox Cities Diaper Bank work?

The diaper bank collects, stores, and helps distribute diapers to struggling low-income families. Diapers are obtained through financial donations and local community diaper drives.

VPI LogoOur diaper donations are inventoried and stored at Valley Packaging Industries. Once the diapers are inventoried, they are transferred to local community agencies for distribution to other nonprofit agencies or directly to families and children in need.

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How can I get help from the Fox Cities Diaper Bank?

If you reside in the Fox Cities service area, the Fox Cities Diaper Bank is a possible resource for your family. Distribution of the diapers collected and purchased through the Fox Cities Diaper Bank is currently done primarily through local agencies. To receive diapers, you must first apply and qualify for services at one of the partner organizations distributing diapers for the Fox Cities Diaper Bank:

DB Infographic 2

At the present time, the Fox Cities Diaper Bank is stocked with sizes newborn and 1-6 diapers. Please check with the agencies because their internal inventory may have changed due to demand. Diapers are available at no cost to eligible families.

If you need additional help, please call United Way 2-1-1 by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-924-5514 for free, confidential local information and referrals, available 24/7.

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How can I help support the Fox Cities Diaper Bank?

mom and baby

  • Make a financial donation: Checks can be made out to Fox Cities Diaper Bank and mailed to United Way Fox Cities, 1455 Midway Road, Menasha, WI 54952.
  • Contact us at 920-954-7210 to make an online gift.
  • Donate diapers. We will accept open packages.
  • Host a diaper drive.
  • Volunteer to repack diapers or help with inventory.
  • In lieu of gifts or favors for weddings, birthdays, and baby shower ask for diapers.
  • Spread the word to your family and friends about diaper need through email, blogs, Facebook and Twitter.

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Host a Diaper Drive!

Thank you to the companies, organizations, and individuals who conducted diaper drives or collected donations to purchase diapers!

Diaper Drive

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#DiaperNeed Awareness Week

1 in 3 American families struggle with diaper need, not having enough diapers for their baby. Annually, Diaper Need Awareness Week (DNAW) draws national attention to this consequence of poverty.

A key activity of DNAW is the securing of state and local proclamations. Currently 19 Governors, 2 state legislatures and 38 municipalities have issued proclamations at the request of National Diaper Bank Network-member diaper banks and/or supporters. In 2018, Governor Scott Walker issued a proclamation in Wisconsin recognizing diaper need. The proclamations are featured on the www.diaperneed.org website.

You can help by donating dollars or diapers. You can also lead diaper drives, discuss child poverty issues, or talk #DiaperNeed on social media. Let us know what you will do to help keep babies clean, dry, and healthy! Find out more at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org/diaperawareness.

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Who serves on the Fox Cities Diaper Bank Committee?

2017-2018 Members:
  • Rev. Will Bloedow
  • Rebecca Boulanger
  • Cheryl Brooks
  • Monica Clare
  • Jenni Eickelberg
  • Lori Jensen
  • Jennifer Krikava
  • Patrick Leigl
  • Robert Russo
  • Liz Schneider
  • Jennifer Wagner Mauk
  • United Way Fox Cities: Rhonda Hannemann, Nanci Micke

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Links to additional diaper bank resources:

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Infographics and illustrations provided by the National Diaper Bank Network: NDBN Logo