ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – In a region where many families are grappling with diaper poverty, Huddle Up Moms is taking a step to address this issue by launching Project H.U.D.D.L.E, aimed at establishing Southwest Virginia’s first and only certified diaper bank.
When shopping for diapers, the price tag can be more than many families can afford. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, diapers cost families up to $100 per month per child and constitute 15% of families’ budgets. In response, Huddle Up Moms, a Roanoke-based non-profit organization, launched its Huddle Up Diaper Distribution & Lifeline Endeavor (Project H.U.D.D.L.E) campaign, to establish Southwest Virginia’s first diaper bank.
“So many moms were asking, do you guys give out diapers? Do you give out wipes? And we quickly realized there’s no other program; there’s no other group here in Roanoke or the surrounding area that provide diapers. We also learned quickly that there’s no federal or state funding that provides diapers for low-income families,” said Huddle Up Moms Director of Support Hannah Goodman.
Since the launch of its Support Shop in 2022, HUM has provided diapers, formula, and baby supplies free of charge to families in need. Currently, the organization assists over 125 mothers each month, but the demand has far outstripped capacity. In Southwest Virginia, more than one-third of families are facing diaper poverty, which can have dire consequences for children and parents.
“If you’re child doesn’t have enough diapers, they can’t go to daycare. Daycares will not take them unless you supply them with diapers. On average these families who have diaper shortages are struggling to find income to get the diapers, they’re losing out on about 1 to 2 days of work. So, it just snowballs,” said Goodman.
To combat this crisis, HUM is aiming to raise $120,000 through Project H.U.D.D.L.E. The funds will be used to establish the diaper bank and help sustain their supply for years to come.
“We’ll be able to reach not just the Roanoke mothers, the Roanoke Valley, but counties surrounding. There’s no diaper bank west of us until you get to Knoxville. There’s no diaper bank North and East of us until you get to Richmond and Harrisonburg. So, our goal is to bridge that gap to those other diaper banks and reach every mother, every family, every child,” said Goodman.
Huddle Up Moms plans to open its diaper bank in April, and is calling on the community for support to make this vital resource a reality.
You can learn more and help by making a financial contribution online at huddleupmoms.networkforgood.com/projects/220614-project-huddle
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