The Howard County Public Health Department (HCPHD), along with First Chance for Children, is sponsoring a Diaper Drive as an outreach of the WIC Program to help close the gap for diaper need in Howard County Missouri.

September 24 kicks off National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Diaper need is the lack of enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy, and is a recognized public health issue that affects the physical, mental, and economic well-being of U.S. children and families. Diaper need can result from poverty, unexpected life hardships, and natural disasters.

Diapers are as essential to a baby’s development as a parent’s love.  Keeping infants and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy is key to building a solid foundation for all children to reach their full potential, but many babies do not have the clean diapers they need.

Children in low-income families are at greatest risk of suffering the effects of diaper need because many families cannot afford diapers. Food stamps (SNAP) and WIC benefits cannot be used to purchase diapers. That is where community, supportive friends, family, and caring neighbors come in. It takes a village to raise a child, it takes a compassionate community to help at-risk families.

The health department will collect donations on Saturday, September 24, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on the Fayette courthouse square. The department hopes to fill a pick-up truck with donated diapers and wipes. There will also be a kid’s craft fair.

Accepted will be new packages of diapers, pull-ups, and wipes from newborn to size 6, and pull-ups size 2t-4t. Items donated will be distributed to any Howard County resident in need.

In addition, donations will be accepted from September 19 through September 30 at the following locations during normal business hours:

• Howard County Public Health Department, 600 W. Davis St., Fayette, MO

• Commercial Trust Company, 119 N. Main St., Fayette, MO

• Exchange Bank, 101 S. Church St., Fayette, MO

• Exchange Bank, 102 E. Broadway St., New Franklin, MO

• Merchants and Farmers Bank, 100 E. Morrison St., Fayette, MO

• Regional Missouri Bank, 601 1st St., Glasgow, MO

• Tri-County Trust Company, 103 Commerce St., Glasgow, MO

Contact the Howard County Public Health Department by calling (660) 248-3100 for additional information.