Detroit Area Diaper Bank Finds Hole in System, Fills It

Aug 3, 2010

Marybeth Levine turned a passion from a previous experience into a concrete effort to help metro Detroiters with a special need.

In 2009, she formed the Detroit Area Diaper Bank to provide diapers and incontinent supplies to low income families, the elderly and those with disabilities.

 “We lived in Tucson, Arizona, when the Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank, the nation’s first diaper bank, came into formal existence. I was very affected by their work and became passionate about the diaper issue. When my husband’s work moved us to Michigan in 2003, I knew it was something I wanted to start here to serve Metro Detroit.”

 However, life had other plans. Marybeth had her hands full with an infant and then two other children born in “quick succession.” When things began to ease, the Diaper Bank was still on her mind.

 “With the economy in [Southeast] Michigan in the state it was last spring and since I was feeling I was getting some control over my time again as the boys were starting to get older, I knew I had to get it started. So we launched April 12, 2009,” said Levine.

 The Detroit Area Diaper bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that partners with social service organizations and state agencies to find those who benefit from the service.

 “There is no assistance for diapers, they’re not paid for or provided by WIC [Women, Infants and Children program], food stamps or Medicare. Diapers are a huge hole in the ‘safety net,’” Levine laments.

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank works closely with local organizations to provide diapers and supplies to those who fall through the cracks in the system. Levine works full time as an unpaid volunteer for the organization, with no other paid employees.

“It’s really basically just me, with the support of my family, working on it ‘full’ time (with my basement office and big green Ford van), but I’m lucky to have a lot of interested, enthusiastic supporters who believe in the Diaper Bank.”

Although not paid for her efforts, Levine says the personal stories make the work worthwhile.

“Just recently, I received a voicemail message from a gentleman who needed adult diapers but he’s been out of work for over a year, so the [over] $160 a month he was having to pay for his incontinence supplies was really hurting his family economically.”

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank and a partner agency provided the family with over three months of incontinence supplies, which allowed them to catch up on other household bills.

The man was so touched that he called the Diaper Bank and left a message. Hearing the emotion in his voice, Levine felt the need to call him back.

Speaking to him “was a wonderful, touching experience for me. I know the Diaper Bank is doing good things, but experiences like those really bring home how we’re making a difference to people in need with diapers.”

The Detroit Area Diaper Bank is currently running their 2^nd Annual Diaper Drive through Thanksgiving 2010.

The drive hopes to collect 100,000 diapers through monetary and physical donations.

Although the greatest diaper needs are for sizes 4, 5, 6 and pull-ups, the Diaper Bank accepts donations of any size of diapers, pull-ups and incontinence supplies.

Packages can be opened, however Levine requests that they be in a package labeled with the size.

Levine says that 100% of donations go toward purchasing diaper and incontinence supplies. All donations are tax deductible and the organization is happy to provide receipts.

“Community support and engagement is critical to the continued growth and long-term success of the Diaper Bank. [We need] groups and individuals willing to run diaper drives and fundraisers and help us keep resources on hand to provide to our partners,” Levine says.

How Can You Help the Detroit Area Diaper Bank?

Donate money or diaper and incontinence supplies and help them reach their 100,000 goal by Thanksgiving.

Create your own drive for donations.

Contact the Detroit Area Diaper Bank

Mailing Address: 45361 Indian Creek Drive, Canton, MI 48187

Website: http://www.detroitareadiaperbank.org

Twitter: @DADiaperBank

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/detroitareadiaperbank