OSWEGO COUNTY – Did you know that September 14-20 is National Diaper Need Awareness Week? The Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance (OCECA), a division of Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Inc.(ICPOC), takes the opportunity to ask groups to get involved in hosting diaper drives throughout the month of September!

Public and private businesses; community, faith-based and recreational groups and organizations; health care providers; schools; individuals and more are encouraged to consider hosting a diaper drive this month in support of the Oswego County Diaper Bank.

Launched in 2024, the Oswego County Diaper Bank helps address a critical need among local families with young children. Since it began, the initiative has distributed nearly 60,000 diapers to local families in need.

Once an Oswego County family is referred to the diaper bank, they will receive up to 50 diapers per child each month. They will also receive assistance through the Oswego County Help Me Grow initiative which helps find other free programs and services that the family may need, including early child developmental screenings and support.

OCECA has built an extensive directory of resources and services which includes more than 160 local programsserving families with children ages 0–5 years. It is used to connect parents and caregivers with the appropriate support they need. Regular follow-ups help ensure these connections are successful.

While building the directory in 2024, a significant gap was identified, showing there was no reliable, consistent resource for local families experiencing diaper need.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 40% of U.S. households with young children in diapers report facing diaper insecurity.

Among those households:

• 45% have skipped credit card and/or bill payments to afford
• 29% have delayed a rent or mortgage payment to afford
• 34% have skipped meals to afford

OCECA is now asking the community to help make a difference by hosting diaper drives throughout September. The Alliance also collects donations – reminding residents that just $10 can purchase up to 50 diapers for a family in need – which help ensure local children have access to one of their most basic necessities.

For more information about hosting a diaper drive, contact OCECA Coordinator Sidney Carter at 315-343-2344, ext. 113 or [email protected].

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About the Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance:

The Oswego County Early Childhood Alliance (OCECA) is a division of Integrated Community Planning of Oswego County, Inc. (ICP). Through collaboration and initiatives such as Oswego County Help Me Grow and the Oswego County Diaper Bank, OCECA works to connect families with young children to resources, services, and support throughout Oswego County.