Today kicks off National Diaper Need Awareness Week, proclaimed recently by Mayor Teri Johnston and the Key West City Commission.
The inability of some families to afford a sufficient supply of clean diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy can adversely affect the health and well-being of children and their families.
National surveys and research studies report that nearly one in two families struggles with diaper needs, and 48 percent of families delay changing diapers to extend the available supply. Many parents struggling with diaper needs report missing an average of five days of work each month due to an insufficient supply of diapers.
“The people of Key West recognize that diaper need is a public health issue,” reads the proclamation, “and addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for the state's families and communities and improved health for children.
“Key West is proud to be home to trusted community-based organizations, including the Miami Diaper Bank and the Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition, that recognize the importance of diapers in ensuring health and providing economic stability for families and thus distribute diapers to families through various channels.”
The awareness week is a chance to encourage the community to donate generously to diaper banks and diaper drives and support those organizations that collect and distribute diapers to families struggling with diaper needs so that all of Key West's children and families can thrive and reach their full potential.