CARIBOU, Maine — The team at Pines Health Services recently held a monthlong diaper drive to benefit patients and families who are in need.
The second annual drive brought in 3,440 diapers — much more than double last year’s collection of 1,310.
Pines officials said keeping infants and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy is key to building a solid foundation for all children to reach their full potential. But one in three families struggles to provide clean diapers for their baby, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.
“Families, predominantly in rural communities that do not have access to big box stores spend nearly twice the amount on diapers. The cost adds up so quickly as an average baby, may go through as many as a dozen diapers a day,” said Kim Chabre, LSW-C, Care Coordinator at the Pines Women’s and Children’s Health Center, located on the Cary Medical Center campus.
“Babies without clean diapers are exposed to more potential health risks, and over 20 percent of children in Aroostook County live in poverty. An average monthly supply of diapers costs approximately $80,” said Chabre.
She said the overreaching goal of the drive was to establish a reliable “diaper bank” for families.
“The diaper drive was hugely successful, thanks to the communities we serve through our health center locations, area businesses who donated and the staff at Pines. Our team was once again so overjoyed to be able to assist our patients and their families who find themselves in a direct need,” she said.
“As a Community Health Center, we always do our best to improve emotional and physical wellbeing of all of our patients in and out of the office,” Chabre added.
For more information about the diaper bank, please call Pines Women’s and Children’s Health Center at (207) 498-6921.
