NEENAH (NBC26) — When we think of basic necessities, food and water come to the top of the mind. But many families struggle to provide diapers for their children; one in three U.S. families can’t afford them, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.
In 2011, Stephanie Bowers founded Jake’s Diaper Network, which became Jake's Network of Hope a few years ago. Now, the organization is bringing essential items to people all over the globe.
“To me, it’s totally mind blowing," said Bowers. "I can’t believe that right now, we are loading diapers to help babies in Liberia. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”
Jakes Network of Jope has helped more than 63,000 people in more than 60 countries, said Bowers.
“The impact of a diaper is so much more than a diaper," she said. "If you don’t have enough diapers your child can’t go to childcare. If a child can’t go to childcare a caregiver can’t go to work. If a caregiver can’t go to work, how are you going to get out of poverty?”
With no federal assistance program to cover these costs, the need is high in the U.S. Faced with a global pandemic, it became tough for Jake's Network to meet that need.
“Most of our volunteers are retired folks who want something to do with their time but are more at risk during the pandemic," said Katie Kilsdonk, Program Manager for Jake’s Network of Hope. "So we lost a good chunk of our volunteer base.”
The community has stepped up, donating money and enough items to fill up the space of the nonprofit’s new warehouse.
“I have to say, the community here is so generous," said Harry Van Burik, Founder and CEO of Charith International, one of the Network's local partners. "We are getting such good clothing and household items, and they can see it going to people in need, and also knowing that these people build up their lives again.”
Jake’s Network of Hope is now the biggest cloth diaper bank in the world, said Bowers.
“Every dollar truly makes a difference," she said. "We’re so thankful for living in such an amazing community that’s rallying together to help babies not only in our own backyard, but above and beyond.”
Jakes Network of Hope is always in need of donations: diapers, feminine products and adult care essentials. They also need monetary donations so they can purchase items at wholesale prices; a $10 donation can stretch to a $250 impact, said Bowers. You can donate here.
