This year, the Annual Diaper Drive will be from March 28 to April 1 in the Memorial Union on Washburn University's campus as well as virtually. More info coming soon! Your donations will go directly to Community Action.
The Need For Diapers
The Department of Sociology and Anthropology's Annual Diaper Drive aims to tackle a hidden social dilemma many low-income families have with providing enough diapers for infants.
In SO310, a Washburn University course teaching differences within social class, students learn that 1 in 3 American families cannot afford diapers. Diapers are not only expensive but programs such as SNAP (formerly called food stamps) & WIC do not cover the costs of diapers. Without diapers, babies can experience diaper rash, irritation and possibly hospitalization because of prolonged exposure to soiled diapers. Additionally, students have learned the shocking truth in how many parents use diaper stretching strategies to save money, such as reusing diapers by hanging wet ones to dry or by scraping feces from dirty ones.
According to Dr. Jennifer Randles, "Diaper need can also interfere with children’s educational opportunities and parents’ abilities to work, as most childcare centers require parents to bring at least a week’s worth of diapers at a time." Jennifer Randles is the an associate professor and chair of the Sociology Department at California State University. She is also the author of the book "Proposing Prosperity? Marriage Education Policy and Inequality in America."
A struggling family has much greater diaper needs since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The rest of the nation is witnessing "unprecedented demands for diapers" according to Joanne Goldblum, chief executive officer of the National Diaper Bank Network.
Investigate your own state's diaper bank statistics!
What Are We Doing?
To help address the growing need for diapers in low-income families, students taking Washburn's SO310 course work on the annual Diaper Drive. The course aids Diaper Depot, a program created by Community Action that supports low-income families and children with diaper needs and other necessities related to infant care. The Diaper Drive is a HICEP (High Impact Community Engagement Practice) course, giving students great opportunities to get involved in their local community, use their skills to help raise public awareness for diaper needs, and collect diapers for low-income families.
Visit past SO310 Diaper Drive HICEP projects!
2018 Diaper Drive --- 2020 Diaper Drive --- 2021 Diaper Drive
Since 2018, the SO310 Diaper Drive has donated diapers to Topeka Rescue Mission and Community Action. When the pandemic hit, preparation for the event moved entirely online. That said, the 2021 Diaper Drive was able to donate $875 directly to Community Action as well as brand new diapers collectively worth over $1,000, helping over 200 families in need.
This year, the SO310 Diaper Drive will be held from March 28 to April 1 on Washburn's campus on the main level of the Memorial Union. There will also be drop-off boxes on campus within the Memorial Union and Mabee Library for physical donations as well as an online donation fund for those who wish to donate remotely. Online donations will be open until April 10, 2022.
Students taking SO310 this year were divided into four groups to being preparing the annual Diaper Drive fundraiser. Each group was dedicated to their tasks even during spring break.
How Can You Help?
Donate and Share! Gift more diapers to babies and parents!
All donations go directly to Community Action!
Visit our SO310 Diaper Donation table on the main level of the Memorial Union on Washburn University's campus from March 28 & 29 from 10am - 3pm. Come say hi to us and learn more about what we're doing!
Donate unused diapers to drop-off locations at Washburn University! Visit the Memorial Union or Mabee Library from March 28 - April 1 (more precise drop-off locations will be announced soon). Click here for a map of Washburn's campus.
If you can't donate physical diapers, click here to visit our online fundraiser instead! Donations will be accepted until April 10th, 2022.
Volunteer your time with Community Action and help your local community! Click here for more info!
Share this page to your friends and family and raise awareness for those with diaper needs!
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Park at sangyoub.park@washburn.edu.
If you are on a mobile device, show the QR code below to your friends and family so they can visit our online fundraiser!