Community Corner

Junior League Of Birmingham To Hold 5th Annual Diaper Drive

The Junior League of Birmingham will hold its Fifth Annual Diaper Drive Friday, Sept. 25, during Diaper Need Awareness Week.

Diaper Need Awareness Week is Sept. 21-27.
Diaper Need Awareness Week is Sept. 21-27. (Shutterstock)

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The Junior League of Birmingham will hold its Fifth Annual Diaper Drive Friday, part of the organization's participation in Diaper Need Awareness Week this week.

The event takes place at the JLB Building (2212 20th Ave. S.; Birmingham, AL 35223) from 8 to 10 a.m.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, the Diaper Drive is a drive-through event. Donors do not have to get out of their cars; volunteers will remove the diapers from trunks or back seats. The event will help stock the JLB Diaper Bank, which distributes thousands of diapers each month to 230 vetted organizations, such as Thrive Together, Family Reunification, Exchange Club Child Abuse Prevention Center, Bridge Ministries, UAB and Chocolate Milk Mommies.

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The JLB has partnered with the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama to store the diapers and vet the organizations that receive diapers through the JLB Diaper Bank.

“We rely on community support to tackle diaper shortages in our area,” said Karen Templeton, JLB Diaper Bank Chair. “One in three U.S. families report suffering from diaper need, and this need is critical in and around the Greater Birmingham Area – physically affecting infants and toddlers and mentally affecting parents and caregivers. It’s truly a public health issue and something that we can work together to address.”

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Research shows 32 percent of children under the age of 3 live below the poverty line, while 26 percent of Alabama Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Funding recipients are infants. Roughly one-third of Alabama children are likely to benefit from diaper donations – on par with the national average.

“The JLB provides diapers for our monthly Mommy Meet Ups and our annual community baby shower,” said Jennifer Miller, co-founder of Chocolate Milk Mommies. “Having an ample supply of diapers helps alleviate stress for our new mothers. Being able to distribute these diapers means an increase in participation in our events that promote health and nutrition for our community.”

“We urge capable families throughout the Birmingham area to support this initiative and to provide diapers to women and children unable to purchase diapers themselves,” Templeton said. “Our organization has made it possible to have this drive held with proper COVID-19 safety precautions, and we thank everyone in advance for participating.”

Those that make a donation to the JLB Diaper Bank will be entered to win a Shop Save & Share card, a ticket to Market Noel or a JLB gift shop gift card.


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