Marietta/Belpre Health Department hosting ‘Diaper Drive’ to support families
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MARIETTA - The Marietta/Belpre Health Department is hosting a "Diaper Drive" through Sept. 30 to further its diaper bank program started in May, and will support local families and organizations that provide diapers to those in need. Donations are accepted from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 304 Putnam St.
Cammie Loane, registrar and financial clerk of the Marietta/Belpre Health Department, said the program was started by Administrator Kelly Miller after she secured a donation of diapers from Heart of Ohio, a diaper bank in Northern Ohio, and saw the need for support.
"I don't know that folks are aware that diapers are a real need in our community and diaper insecurity is prevalent,” Loane said.
She said the Marietta/Belpre Health Department supplies diapers to local organizations and individual families, such as Family Children First and Job and Family Services. She said the need is there but supplies are limited. This drive would supply other organizations to "have a really good stable diaper program so we can disperse to families and organizations within our community," Loane said.
Loane said the need includes diapers size 3 and up, and baby wipes. She said the donation Miller secured was primarily smaller sizes and the organization wants to support families regardless of their situation.
With limited funding, the Marietta/Belpre Health Department is looking to the community to provide donations, Loane said. While the department will take grant opportunities as they come, it relies on community support.
Loane said "It's important to help the babies in our community to help keep them clean, and keep them diapered, and we welcome any donations we can get."