If the government can make cheese, why can’t they make diapers?
Submitted by Lisa on April 18, 2009 – 6:54 am9 Comments
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I recently learned that there are such places called Diaper Banks. In fact, we have one in the Bay Area, which was started last year. Here are some facts you should file away and write to the Big Cheese(s) about:
- While safety-net programs such as SNAP (food stamps) and WIC (Women Infants Children) cover the cost of infant formula, they do NOT cover diapers.
- Diaper companies do NOT give diapers away (unless you are Jon and Kate Plus 8 or the California octuplets).
- Interestingly, infant formula companies donate formula and the government subsidizes it under SNAP and WIC.
- Diapers cost exponentially more at an inner city convenience store than they do at a big box store or online.
- Most laundromats do NOT allow you to wash cloth diapers. If you are poor, you probably don’t own a washing machine.
- Most licensed daycare centers (esp. free or subsidized) do not accept cloth diapers. Parents must provide disposable diapers.
- If a family can’t afford diapers (e.g., they need it for shelter, food, transportation) a baby will spend extended periods of time, sometimes days at a time in the same soiled diaper.
- Washing and re-using disposable diapers is unhealthy and unsanitary.
- Unhappy babies are crying babies. Crying babies are more likely to be abused by an already stressed out caregiver.
- If you cannot afford diapers, you cannot take your child to free/subsidized childcare. Therefore, you cannot make your commitments such as work, school, or job training.
- Start over.
I found most of these facts on various diaper bank websites and in an About.com interview with Hildy Gottlieb, the founder of the nation’s first diaper bank , Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank.
Question: If the government can make cheese, subsidize infant formula, AND childcare to the poor, why can’t they contract with Seventh Generation or gDiapers to manufacture diapers and then subsidize?
What are your thoughts or insights on this?
That’s a bummer but thanks for bringing that to my attention… what can we do? Just today, I was in a store in Berkeley with 10 wipes and no dipes and I relied on the mercy of the community to spare/share a clean diaper with my little guy. That probably doesn’t work every time.
“Buddy can you spare a diaper?”
The politics of the diaper – it is amazing that a little commodity can have such an impact on so many different levels. Every city has a food bank, right? Every city should have a diaper bank…
I am newly educated to this complete disconnect between a government (Executive branch AND Congressional branch) touting “Families First!” and them ignoring this basic requirement. Where’s the vox populi outrage swamping OUR elected representatives with calls and letters until diapers are covered in WIC and Foodstamps?
Wondering if anyone out there knows WHY it isn’t covered. Is it because they are afraid folks will sell the diapers? That is the only reason I can possibly think of. If we can find this answer, squeaky wheels are in order.
[...] just a matter of jurisdiction? How do we change this? Or as the spectacular San Francisco group Help a Mother Out say: “If the government can make cheese, subsidize infant formula, AND childcare to the poor, why [...]
plicies need to change so that parents can use cloth if they choose to – policy for accepting donation of reusable diapers needs to change because SOME do have access to a washer and some do not work and MOST have their kids at home some times so why not just use the disposables PART-TIME if that’s what appears to be “necessary” until policy changes? I just think it is absurd to not even accept reusable diapers at these diaper banks – some low income people do have washer and dryer, right?
I am a single mother. I am from the poorest part of ohio and, I know this is true. Resently, my boyfriend was laid off work. I can’t find a job to save my live. I have been looking for help with diapers. So far all I have found is websites such as these. My daughter is my first concern and I would not sell them. she get’s changed everytime she goes. But I don’t know what I’m going to do when I run out of the last bag I have. I have no one to help me. I am living with my boyfriends mother because of there being no jobs in the area. And my parents are just as bad of as I am. So were is the help for the people that aren’t looking for hand outs to sell or because they are lazy? The people that really need it? It really makes you think about the world we live in.
[...] Now, I’m no political wonk. I have no idea how effective legislative caucusing can be. But something about this news gives me hope about us changing the public policy around providing diapers to needy families across the country. Remember, if the government can make cheese, why not diapers? [...]
I am a single mother of two beautiful children, I was able to support them in every way possible on my own intill a couple months ago i was laid off from work due to cut backs. Now i am strugling to buy diapers for my youngest child. I am now on the WIC program for both my kids. I have been looking for a job for about three months, no one is hiring. I am on my last bag of diapers now with little in my pocket for anything. Christmas is just around the corner and i will have nothing for my kids. I was doing good all on my own up intill i got laid off now i am living back at home with my mom just so the we can support one another. if there are any websites i can go to so that i can just get some diapers i would be happy for now. My family is happy and healthy we are just strugling a little.