Governor Evers Meets the Fox Cities Diaper Bank
Thursday, March 5, 2020
Governor Evers Meets the Fox Cities Diaper Bank
Contributor: Rhonda Hannemann, Community Development Program Officer at United Way Fox Cities
Diaper need is something I did not know would become very important to me in my work at United Way Fox Cities. Learning that 1 in 3 families do not have enough diapers to change their little ones as often as needed was the catalyst for starting a diaper bank.
What began as a simple task of getting diapers to local struggling families has developed into so much more.
The Fox Cities Diaper Bank was created in 2011 by United Way Fox Cities, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, and other community partners. Our local Diaper Bank is one of the original members of the National Diaper Bank Network; now, more than 200 community-based diaper banks make up their membership.
Each month, 900 babies receive diapers through our 15 partners. The diapers mean a lot to families—reducing stress, boosting pride, and empowering them to better provide for their children. Babies benefit by being healthier and happier.
Because of our experience operating the Fox Cities Diaper Bank, we were recently asked to assist with a diaper repacking event hosted by United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha, with special guests Governor Tony Evers and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes.
Recognizing that working families are struggling to make ends meet, Governor Tony Evers and Lt. Governor Mandela Barnes were there to increase their knowledge about diaper need and to actively participate in the diaper repacking experience (hairnets and all).
We are thankful to Governor Evers for promoting diaper need. Awareness is the first step in creating and implementing real solutions. This past fall, the Governor issued a proclamation recognizing Diaper Need Awareness Week throughout Wisconsin. We will be calling on him again to support National Diaper Need Awareness Week this year, September 21–27, 2020.
Ending diaper need requires ongoing collaboration and investment of resources by government, businesses, and the philanthropic community. The partnership between Kimberly-Clark, Huggies, the National Diaper Bank Network, the state of Wisconsin, and of course, the generosity of the Fox Cities, is what will allow us to continue to care for the youngest members of our community. We look forward to a future where every bottom is clean, healthy, and dry.
