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One of the most basic necessities for mothers and their babies is diapers, but the price of diapers has surged during the pandemic. That’s made the situation more dire for low-income families since diapers are not covered by federal assistance programs. But there are local charities in the Boston area stepping-up to help.
Volunteers are busy packing items inside a Newton warehouse nicknamed the “Giving Factory” because everything is given away. It’s run by the nonprofit Cradles to Crayons.
They provide everyday essentials, from clothing to hygiene kits, to kids throughout Massachusetts who are living in low-income or poverty. “We know in city of Boston it’s almost 1 in 2 living in low-income that need our services and we are able to provide for over two hundred thousand kids,” said Aubrey Conquergood, executive director of Cradles to Crayons.
Cradles to Crayons works with more than 100 partners throughout the Commonwealth. One of them is FamilyAid Boston, which receives free diapers by the truckload.
The charity’s president, Larry Seamans, says during the pandemic the need for diapers for families in need has become a public health crisis. “With the support of Cradles to Crayons we’ve delivered over half a million diapers to moms who are struggling with housing stability for their kids. We are out door to door delivering diapers to our clients,” Seamans said.
In addition to diapers Cradles to Crayons also collects books, shoes, clothing and other items. So far, they’ve donated more than 35 thousand winter coats, which is double from last year. “We get comments from teachers and orders from teachers in schools because someone is showing up for a week without a winter coat and then they stop showing up to school and they need that winter coat to be able to go to school,” Conquergood said.
Cradles to Crayons has 100 volunteers per day processing all donations. Right now their biggest needs are pajamas and socks. As for diapers, there are currently bills re-filed on Beacon Hill Bill H.206 (malegislature.gov) and Bill S.125 (malegislature.gov) to give low-income families greater access to free diapers.