MADISON — On Saturday, Sept. 24, Pregnancy Helpline, Inc. of Madison will host the second annual DiaperDash Run/Walk at McKee Farms Park.
The DiaperDash will kick off Diaper Need Awareness Week to encourage community-wide diaper drives and draw attention to the struggles that low-income families experience to keep their children in clean diapers.
Diaper Need Awareness Week will run September 26 through October 2.
Diaper/Dash
The DiaperDash is a 5K run/two-mile walk that will begin at McKee Farms Park in Fitchburg at 9 a.m. The cost is $20 for individuals or $50 for families.
Funds raised will be used to provide free diapers to local families in need. Race registrations and donations can be made online at www.pregnancyhelpline.net
Prizes will be given to those who donate the most diapers.
Need for diapers
“One in three American families struggle with diaper need and it’s a reality in our community. We have mothers asking every week for help with diapers,” said Alissa Hirscher, Pregnancy Helpline executive director.
“These moms tell us they spend hours on the bus trying to get the few diapers allotted daily by other agencies. We are the only one giving out this many at a time.
“It’s not just about providing diapers but also alleviating other stresses that arise from diaper need,” she said.
Pregnancy Helpline’s Diaper Bank is the only member of the National Diaper Bank Network serving Dane County; it relies on donations from diaper drives and financial donations to purchase diapers to provide families in need with free diapers.
Diaper drives
Several Madison-area organizations will be holding diaper drives to support Diaper Need Awareness Week. Monetary or diaper donations can be brought to Lil’ Badger Consignment Sale, Monona, September 22 to 24, (www.lilbadgerconsignmentsale.com); all Madison Shopko locations, September 26 to October 2; and Pregnancy Helpline, Inc. of Madison at the DiaperDash or any time of the year.
In Wisconsin, 43 percent (178,315) of young children live in low-income families but diapers cannot be bought with food stamps nor are they covered by Women, Infants, and Children program (WIC). Some parents are forced to choose between diapers and food or other household necessities.
In 2015, Pregnancy Helpline collected over 30,000 baby diapers and gave out over 45,000 free diapers.
Pregnancy Helpline
In addition to the diaper bank, Pregnancy Helpline offers a 24-hour helpline, safe sleep program, baby care package program, and sharing center for material goods.
For more information, visit www.pregnancyhelpline.net or call Alissa Hirscher at 608-441-9575 or email [email protected]