Bend's Community Diaper Bank

Want to make a difference for a family or person living in crisis? Do it with Diapers! For those who need them, diapers are not a luxury. They are a necessity that only affects vulnerable populations who cannot help themselves - the disabled, the elderly and babies. The impact of not having diapers is interwoven with all the other issues surrounding life in poverty and crisis. Click to download Diaper Bank handout.

The Facts

• A healthy change of diapers costs $100/month or more .... for all ages
• Full time work at minimum wage grosses ~$825/month
• Average social security benefits are ~$875/month
• Safety Net programs (e.g. Food Stamps, WIC, Medicare) do not cover diapers

The Impacts

• Many disabled babies never outgrow the need for diapers - not when they are 8, or 12 or an adult
• Adding diaper costs to uncovered medical expenses can devastate families earning an otherwise adequate income
• For school, job training or work, many disabled children and adults need incontinence supplies
• 15-20% of all adults over age 65 suffer some degree of incontinence
• Healthy, but incontinent seniors often become homebound if they can’t afford supplies. This impacts loneliness and depression and increases the need for assistance programs
• Incontinence is among the most common reasons for the elderly to be placed in nursing homes
• Parents who can’t afford $100/month to leave disposable diapers at child care often leave the workforce until their children are out of diapers. Child care costs are often subsidized, but there are no subsidies for diapers
• A normal infant uses up to 12 diapers/day; a normal toddler 8/day. But, in low income households, a baby may be in a single diaper all day or longer, increasing the risk of serious health problems
• A baby crying from being in a soiled diaper for a prolonged time is more likely to be abused

How it Works/How You Can Help:
The Diaper Bank does not give out diapers directly to individuals, but deals instead with many local agencies that work with infants and seniors - Grandma's House, Mountain Star Family Relief Nursery, DHS.

Bend's Community Diaper Bank gladly accepts donations of diapers and funds to purchase diapers and cover program expenses (our dropoff location is 350 SW Industrial Way). For partner agencies who want to place an order for diapers, please call 323-2303 or send us a FAX at 323-2304.

How to Contact or Find Us:
Pat Leahy
Phone: (541) 312-2069
FAX: (541) 312-2084

Bend's Community Diaper Bank
350 SW Industrial Way
Bend, OR 97702