Southern 7 Health Department collects more than 3,200 diapers during annual “Bundles of Joy” Drive
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAIRO, Ill., (KBSI) — The Southern 7 Health Department has announced the success of its second annual “Bundles of Joy” Diaper Drive, which collected more than 3,200 diapers in September to help families facing diaper insecurity in the southernmost seven counties of Illinois.
Through the support of local businesses and community members, the collected diapers will be distributed in the coming days to families enrolled in Southern 7 WIC and Head Start programs.
Donations were gathered at Dollar General stores in Cairo, Cobden, Golconda, Karnak, Rosiclare, and Vienna; Big John’s Super Store in Metropolis; Edward Jones in Anna; and Kroger in Anna. The drive also collected baby cleaning supplies and more than $1,200 in monetary donations to purchase additional diapers.
Since the program began last year, Southern 7 Health Department has collected more than 12,100 diapers and $2,200 in financial contributions.
“We are overwhelmed at the outpouring of support for the families we serve and appreciate the many donations from the community,” said Shawnna Rhine, community outreach coordinator for Southern 7 Health Department. “These diapers will help ease the expense burden for so many families in our region, while keeping their children happy and healthy.”
Diapers will be distributed to families currently enrolled in Southern 7’s WIC and Head Start programs while supplies last.
According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in two U.S. families cannot afford enough diapers to keep their infants or toddlers clean and healthy. Babies without an adequate supply of clean diapers face a higher risk of diaper rash, urinary tract infections, toxic stress, and increased medical visits.
The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that newborns need an average of 10 to 12 diapers a day — about 300 in the first month — costing roughly $90 monthly. Most children use about 7,100 diapers before becoming potty trained, adding up to nearly $1,000 per year, an expense that can be especially difficult for low-income families.
Southern 7’s WIC (Women, Infants and Children) program, funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture, provides nutrition support, education, and healthcare referrals for low-income women and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk. WIC services are available at each of the department’s public health clinics, with 260 infants currently enrolled.
The department also operates Head Start and Early Head Start programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which serve children from birth to age 5. The programs provide early childhood education, school readiness support, health and social services, and family engagement opportunities. Currently, 138 children under age 3 are enrolled in Early Head Start across the Southern 7 service area.
Residents who were unable to donate during the September drive can still contribute year-round. Diapers and monetary donations are accepted at Southern 7 Public Health Clinics and Head Start sites in Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, and Union counties.
