Back in 2015, Erin Campbell learned that there are over 3,100 children under the age of 5 who live below the poverty line in the Athens area. With diapers costing hundreds of dollars per year, 1 in 3 families struggle affording them. On top of that, government programs don't cover the cost of diapers and families even sacrifice food in order to purchase diapers.
After discovering that there wasn't a Diaper Bank in the local area, Erin Campbell created The Athens Area Diaper Bank. When they first opened, they collected diapers from family, friends, local businesses, preschools, sororities, UGA departments, local Girl Scouts, churches or mother's groups. As they grew, The Foodbank of Northeast Georgia became the official sponsor, the Athens Area Diaper Bank became an independent organization in late 2018, and in the last couple of weeks they started a partnership with WIC.
The Athens Area Diaper Bank is now celebrating their recently opened space! There is lots of room for storage, packaging, and even a play area for the kids. This past weekend they had a Baby Shower and offered tours of their new space, accepted donations, and had many wonderful members of the community come together for a great event! It would not have been possible without their enthusiastic board members, Ms. Cathy from Allegro Music, ReBlossom Mama & Baby Shop, Children First, Little Athens, Athens Macaroni Kid, Athens Stork Delivery, Flock Infant Massage, Zaxbys, and many volunteers. The Athens Area Diaper Bank now has over 10,000 diapers on their shelves.
Are you looking for ways to help? Donations can be made directly at their new location located at 485 Huntington Rd, Suite 192, next the The Georgia Square Mall. There are also four collection locations in the Athens area: ReBlossom Mama & Baby Shop, Hometown Pediatrics, Merryn Walker at AllState, and Pediatric Partners. Diapers in all sizes, opened boxes and packages, and cloth diapers are all accepted. You can also donate money at any time online, here.
