Big news for WestSide Baby as this year’s “Stuff the Bus” mega-diaper-drive approaches (Sunday, July 21st). Today its warehouse is receiving a million diapers, the first of two committed shipments by the National Diaper Bank Network, for WS Baby, partner Eastside Baby Corner, and the Tri-Cities Diaper Bank. The WS Baby announcement includes this reminder of why they are desperately needed:

King County reports over 10,000 children* under the age of three living in poverty. The diapering needs for these children is 22 million diapers per year. Unfortunately, this incredible need forces many families to choose between buying diapers and paying bills. Diapers are not covered by any government aid program, including food stamps and Women, Infant and Children (WIC) programs. Struggling students or working parents most often must bring a daily supply of diapers when dropping their children off at daycare.

According to Joanne Goldblum, Executive Director of the National Diaper Bank Network, “Children can miss out on early childhood opportunities if parents cannot supply diapers, which most centers require. Though Early Head Start programs are mandated to provide diapers, the budgets they receive from the federal government are often too tight to allow for that. These programs sometimes turn to diaper banks, community-based non-profits dedicated to keeping every baby clean, dry and healthy.”

Big donations like this are only a drop in the diaper bucket – your help matters in a big way, too. You can donate to WestSide Baby in a variety of ways detailed on their website – and watch for diaper drives big and small, including at the Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade this Thursday and then the big Stuff the Bus collection on July 21st, 10 am-2 pm in the parking lot of AmericanWest Bank.