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Making Kids Count aims to collect 14,000 diapers by Oct. 1
BOARDMAN
Eighty-four thousand.
That’s the number of diapers that Making Kids Count, a Boardman-based nonprofit, distributes locally each year for families in need.
It might sound like a lot, but consider this statistic: Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, and 1 in 3 families in the United States is in need of diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.
Making Kids Count staff members are asking that community members help them collect 14,000 diapers, which represents a two-month supply. It will save the group about $3,000, which staff members say will allow them to expand another one of MKC’s 13 child-focused programs.
The organization is hosting a diaper drive leading up to Diaper Need Awareness Week, next Monday through Oct. 4. The group will cap off the effort with a collection event from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 1.
Those who wish to donate can drop off packages at these sites: Making Kids Count’s office at 7178 West Blvd.; Studio Oxygen at 584 E. Main St., Canfield; Four Point Fitness at 8381 Market St.; Stone Fruit Coffee Co. at 410 W. Main St., Canfield; and, Chick-fil-A in Boardman will give away a free original sandwich to anyone who brings in a pack of diapers between next Monday and Oct. 3.
“None of the other safety-net programs cover diapers, and there’s definitely a need in the community,” said Jana Coffin, co-president of Making Kids Count.
Making Kids Count shared some testimonials that its partner organizations, which receive the supplies that MKC collects, received from grateful families:
“Our electric was shut off and we were trying to come up with the money to get it reconnected. Our home visitor brought us diapers, and it really helped us put those extra dollars toward getting the lights back on,” one person wrote.
“I work two part-time jobs but am a single mom. Having my home visitor bring my diapers on Tuesday to get me to pay day made a huge difference for our family and gave me one less thing to worry about,” wrote another.
The effort moved forward last week when Cailor Fleming Insurance of Youngstown donated $500 to help MKC reach its goal.
“We thought, what a great idea to make sure that kids are property taken care of,” said Trent Cailor, one of the owners, saying that the business raised money by asking employees to donate 50 cents each time they wanted to wear jeans to work.
“We’ve always focused on organizations that are more centered around kids in the community,” said Don Foley, another owner.
For information about the diaper drive, visit the “Making Kids Count” Facebook page or call 330-758-3434.