SPRINGFIELD — The O’Dell Women’s Center, an organization that supports low-income women in Western Massachusetts, is seeking the community’s help to provide something every parent knows is essential — diapers.
Sept. 23-29 is National Diaper Need Awareness Week, and the center is hosting a diaper drive from now until Oct. 9.
“We’ve gotten such a positive response,” Executive Director Margaret Tantillo said. In the first week of the drive, 1,000 diapers were collected. “We have a goal of 10,000. I think we’re going to blow that out of the water.” However, she also said the need is great.
According to the federal Administration for Children and Families, 36% of Massachusetts families with young children could not afford enough diapers during the coronavirus pandemic. An estimated 19.2% of Massachusetts households with children are food insecure and 73% of mothers in the Massachusetts workforce have infants to care for at home. A 2022 study published in the journal Health Equity found 60% of food pantry users, 60% of WIC users and 55% of SNAP users experience diaper need.
“Recognizing the significant challenges faced by families struggling financially, our initiative seeks to provide essential baby supplies to those in need,” Tantillo said.
“We are doing this because diapers are not covered by SNAP benefits and are a necessary item for families and their children,” Tantillo added. She explained the chain reaction of impacts a lack of diapers can cause. She said that without diapers children who are not potty trained cannot attend daycare, “and then what happens is their parents miss work.” Because of this, a diaper drive complements the work of the O’Dell Women’s Center.
“Our mission is to provide a pathway to economic stability,” Tantillo said. “We’re an evolving organization. We’re a compassionate organization. We want to provide support where we can. This is a way to provide direct help.” She said the diaper drive seemed particularly fitting because Connie O’Dell, for whom the center is named, worked as a maternity nurse for more than 40 years.
The organization is seeking donations of all sizes and brands of diapers, as well as wipes, feminine products and baby formula. Both unopened and partial packages will be accepted, Tantillo said. She added that parents will often have left over diapers as their children rapidly grow out of one size and into the next. Any unclaimed diapers at the end of the pick-up day will be donated to the Holyoke Chicopee Head Start.
Drop-Off Locations:
- Dress for Success Western MA, 45 Lyman St., Springfield, Drop-off available Monday-Friday, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. and Monday and Wednesday, from 5-6:30 p.m. until Oct. 9.
- Scoops of Agawam, 495 Springfield St., Feeding Hills. Drop-off available Tuesday-Sunday, from 5-9 p.m. throughout September.
- M&T Bank Branches in Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and Ludlow. Drop-off available during business hours until Oct. 9.
For those unable to donate in person, online contributions can be made at bit.ly/4e8dfrQ. The date to pick up the donations is Oct. 10. Tantillo said diapers will be delivered to registered recipients who do not have transportation.
To learn more about The O’Dell Women’s Center or express a need for diapers, visit odellwomenscenter.com.
