A new diaper bank merger in Wisconsin hopes to address rising needs

Two prominent Fox Valley diaper banks in Wisconsin are pooling resources to serve a greater portion of Northeast Wisconsin. 

The Kimberly-Clark Eastern Wisconsin Diaper Bank is the result of a merger last month between United Way Fox Cities and the Appleton-based nonprofit Jake’s Network of Hope. 

Scott Sawinski, executive director of Jake’s, recently told WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” the plan largely stemmed from a desire to “change the heading” of rising diaper needs.

“One plus one is something greater than two, hopefully, because of this merge,” he said. “We really hope that our efficiencies will help us make a greater impact and that we can get a bigger supply of diapers and just meet the needs of our community. Because right now, we’re not fulfilling their whole need.” 

For more than a decade, diaper insecurity has been on the rise across America. A 2023 report by the National Diaper Bank Network found nearly half of all families are struggling with diapers. That’s up from one-third in 2010. 

Renae Verstegen with United Way Fox Cities said most federal and state assistance programs — like the Federal Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children — fail to cover the cost of diapers and menstrual products for families in need. 

“These items are obviously essential to our lives, and unfortunately these services cannot use their funds towards those items,” Verstegen said. “So we are here to try to help supplement that. And by giving them these essential items, such as diapers and period products, we can help them spread their income, their other dollars, toward other essential items.” 

The Kimberly-Clark Corporation, one of the main diaper producers, is the presenting sponsor of the diaper bank. Sawinski said the company is there to “fill all the gaps that we have” as demand for diapers outpaces bank supply through other means. 

Diaper insecurity affects more than just families’ finances. The National Diaper Bank Network survey found 70 percent of families needing diapers reported feeling stressed or anxious over their challenges. And 28 percent of families said they’ve skipped meals in order to pay for diapers. 

Last year before the partnership, United Way Fox Cities distributed nearly 1 million diapers to local families.

Through United Way Fox Cities’ website, you can donate or volunteer.