When a baby is born, diapers are a basic necessity. But for many families, affording them can be a challenge. On average, diapers cost nearly $80 per month per child, and yet they cannot be purchased using WIC or SNAP benefits (formerly known as food stamps).
Diaper need, or the lack of an adequate supply of diapers to keep a baby or child clean, dry, and healthy, affects one in two American families. For many families, diaper need may mean keeping their child in a diaper longer than they should to stretch the use of that diaper. For others, it may mean missing work or school due to a lack of diapers to leave for their child at child care.
Recognizing this growing need, Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County (CYP) launched CYP’s Diaper Bank in May 2020. Since then, and thanks to the generous support of Dare County Commissioners, the Outer Banks Community Foundation, and numerous local individuals, businesses, and organizations, CYP has distributed more than 15,000 packs of diapers, providing an estimated 408,000 diaper changes to families across Dare County.
From September 15–21, CYP will join communities across the nation in observing National Diaper Need Awareness Week, a time to raise awareness about diaper need in Dare County and encourage community support for CYP’s Diaper Bank.
There are many ways to help. During the week of September 15-21, diaper drop-off bins will be set-up at various locations throughout Dare County:
- Children & Youth Partnership office, Manteo
- First Bank, Kill Devil Hills
- Kill Devil Hills Library
- Hatteras Library
- Manteo Library
- Outer Banks Community Foundation, Manteo
- Outer Banks Family YMCA, Nags Head
- Outer Banks Health (entrances at main lobby and medical office building)
A ‘Diaper Drive Toolkit’ is available for use by anyone who is interested in holding their own diaper drive. CYP is also accepting tax-deductible monetary donations and donations of unopened diapers for CYP’s Diaper Bank. Visit darekids.org/diaper-bank to learn more about how you can help.
Any families in need of diapers can visit one of our monthly diaper distribution events, held on the second Tuesday and Wednesday of each month from 9:30am-6:00pm at the Center for CYP in Manteo. This event in October will be held on October 14-15.
All diaper distribution events provided by CYP’s Diaper Bank are free for families, with diapers available in sizes newborn-size 6 (while supplies last).
To learn more about CYP’s upcoming diaper distribution events or to find out more about how you can support CYP’s Diaper Bank, please visit www.darekids.org, follow CYP on Facebook at facebook.com/cypdarekids, or call (252)441-0614.
The Coastland Times- September 13, 2025- Community support sought for CYP Diaper Bank, drop-off bins available throughout Dare County
