WHAT WE DO
We provide diapers to an average of 6,000 babies in need every month.
More and more families experience diaper need every day. We have made a small dent, but have miles to go in eradicating the diaper gap.
Without diapers, babies cannot go to childcare or participate in early childhood education. Without much-needed childcare, many parents cannot go to work or school. This causes homes with more tension, less nurturing and possible abuse.
An uncomfortable baby cries more, which can lead to mistreatment and neglect. We want to ensure that every baby in Middle Tennessee has enough diapers to remain clean, dry and healthy.
How NashDiaper Works
We collect diapers and distribute them through our community partners. By being intermediaries, we limit duplication of services, reduce administration expenses and work collaboratively to solve a basic human need at the community level. If struggling families need diapers, they often have other needs as well, which are best addressed through our partner agencies and their full continuum of care. Nashville Diaper Connection is a growing community of support.
An adequate supply of clean, dry diapers is a preventative approach to infections, neglect, abuse, unnecessary tension and physical and emotional stress. Experiences in the first years of life are extremely important for a child’s healthy development and lifelong learning. The brain grows to 90% of its adult size by age 3.
Emotional, language and motor skill development is delayed or damaged by environmental stressors and other risk factors. Infants and toddlers raised in lower stress environments have better outcomes as adults. Babies who participate in early childhood education are 2.5 times more likely to go on to higher education.
Even free and subsidized childcare centers will turn away a child whose caretaker can’t provide a day’s supply of disposable diapers (most childcare centers do not accept cloth diapers). Barriers to employment and education are a leading cause of chronic stress in families. Babies born into poverty may spend a day or more in one diaper. Sitting in a wet diaper without being changed enough can cause diaper rash, which can lead to secondary infections with fever, blisters, boils, fever, a rash beyond the diaper area, pus and weeping discharge.
Average income for a family of two at poverty threshold:
$1,437 per month
Average cost of diapers for one baby:
$93 per month
Families often have to choose between food and diapers.
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“The Nashville Diaper Connection adds dignity and health to our refugee community. It has filled one of the biggest weekly deficits that our new families have had. There is much joy when the Diaper Van pulls into the complex.”
Donna Pack, Director
Connecting Kindness -
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“We gave her diapers, and with tears in her eyes, she stated that it would really help her out because she had to choose between medication, food and diapers. Karen left the clinic with a food box, diapers and a very grateful smile.”
Connectus Health
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“Partnering with Nashville Diaper Connection has been a game changer for our food pantry! ... With the high cost of diapers, we did not receive many diaper donations nor could we afford to buy any with our operating budget. ”
Karen Cole, Executive Director
Hands of Hope Food Pantry -
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“One of the most beautiful things about our monthly diaper distribution in South Nashville is how it gathers community members. The diaper distribution has become a hub for moms to share resources with each other and learn about other resources like eviction counsel support, contraceptives and medical care, etc.”
Elmahaba Center
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Their commitment to ensuring that every child has access to clean diapers is commendable and aligns perfectly with our mission. The diapers they provide fulfill a critical need for our families, leaving one less burden on their shoulders.
Tom Chester, Program Manager
Nurses for Newborns -
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"Going from not being able to afford diapers and then receiving help with diapers while here at the shelter motivates me to manage my finances better so I am able to provide necessities for my children in the future."
Mom of two at Nashville Rescue Mission
At this time, we only provide disposable diapers because most commercial laundries and apartment laundry facilities prohibit washing dirty cloth diapers. Also, according to the Sierra Club’s “Green Home,” reusable diapers washed separately at 140 degrees or higher and then dried have a 75% worse environmental impact than disposable diapers.