Partners work together to address diaper need in Minnesota

National Diaper Need Awareness Week Sept. 14–20

For families with young children, diapers are a basic need. But balancing the rising costs of food, housing, childcare and other essentials can make having enough diapers on hand a challenge. Nearly half of Minnesota families cannot afford enough diapers for their children, according to the Diaper Bank of Minnesota. More than 125,000 Minnesota children aged 0-3 experience diaper need.

When families don’t have the resources to meet their children’s basic needs, parents and caregivers may have to choose between essentials. That ongoing pressure can affect family well-being and make it harder to manage day-to-day responsibilities. Meeting basic needs can ease some of that stress and give families more stability.

Bringing resources to families

In Minnesota, community organizations, Tribal Nations, counties and the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) are working together to make diapers more accessible to families.

DCYF’s Office of Economic Opportunity administers Minnesota’s Diaper Distribution Grant Program, which provides $1.1 million each year for statewide diaper distribution, funded by the Minnesota Legislature. The Diaper Bank of Minnesota manages distribution for the program and works with more than 36 distribution partners across the state.

The network includes food shelves, Tribal Nations, county agencies, community organizations and other groups that already have relationships with families in their communities. That local connection helps families access diapers through organizations they know and trust.

The program helps reach families across Minnesota. Since 2023, state funds have provided resources for the Diaper Bank to serve communities beyond the Twin Cities, making diapers and wipes available to more Minnesota families through multiple new statewide partners. Diapers can cost families $80 to $100 per child each month. Because most childcare programs require families to provide diapers, not having enough can create another barrier – children may not be able to attend childcare, making it harder for parents to work.

A statewide effort built on partnership

DCYF does not distribute diapers directly to families. Instead, the department works with partners to make diapers available in communities.

That means investing state resources, working with the Diaper Bank of Minnesota and supporting a statewide network of partners that understand the needs of the families they serve.

Community organizations bring trusted relationships and knowledge of their communities. DCYF brings funding and coordination to help extend that work across the state. 

Helping families meet their basic needs allows them to focus their time, energy and resources on raising healthy, thriving children.

Addressing the need together

National Diaper Need Awareness Week is an opportunity to recognize families experiencing diaper need and the partners working to address it.

Families need different kinds of support at different times. For some, that might mean help paying for childcare or putting food on the table. For others, it could be connecting with a community organization or having enough diapers for the week. When families cannot afford enough diapers, children may experience diaper rash, urinary tract infections and other health problems, while the stress and circumstances surrounding unmet basic needs can increase the risk of concerns being reported for neglect.

If you need diapers, visit Find Diapers - Diaper Bank Minnesota to find an organization near you.

Visit How Can I Help? - Diaper Bank Minnesota to learn how you can support Minnesota families through financial donations, diaper donations, diaper drives or volunteering.