The HopeLine, a longtime Food Bank for New York City member organizations, marked a one million diaper milestone with an event on Tuesday with the goal of providing diapers to as many families with babies in need as they can.
In 2015, Maria Cintron, executive director of The HopeLine, started the first diaper program in the Bronx. Partnering with The Food Bank For New York City. In Fiscal Year 2021, Food Bank supplied over 1.9 million pounds of personal care items to New Yorkers in the five boroughs, including period products, baby formula, diapers, and PPE.
One in three low-income U.S. families struggle to pay for diapers––a basic necessity which ensures the health of babies staying free from skin rashes and urinary tract infections. On average, diapers can cost an average of $80 per month per child. However, in the state of New York, there are zero assistance programs that will cover the cost of diapers.