Recognizing the need for diapers and expressing support for donating generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and organizations that distribute diapers to families in need.

Whereas diaper need, the condition of not having a sufficient supply of clean diapers to keep babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy, can adversely affect the health and well-being of babies, toddlers, and their families; Whereas national surveys and research studies report that 1 in 3 families struggle with diaper need, and 48 percent of families delay changing a diaper to extend the available supply; Whereas infants and toddlers go through 6 to 12 diapers each day during the 2 to 3 years they wear diapers; Whereas purchasing enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy can consume 14 percent of a low-wage family’s post-tax income, making it difficult to provide the necessary supply; Whereas a daily or weekly supply of diapers is generally an eligibility requirement for babies and toddlers to participate in child care programs and high-quality early-education programs that enable children to thrive and parents to work; Whereas many parents struggling with diaper need report missing an average of 4 days of work each month due to an insufficient supply of diapers; Whereas parents missing work due to diaper need hinders their ability to provide for their family financially, creates workforce problems for small businesses, and hurts the local economy; Whereas, without enough diapers, babies and toddlers risk infections and health problems that may require medical attention resulting in medical costs, and parents may be prevented from accessing child care needed to go to work or school, thereby destabilizing the family’s economic prospects and well-being; Whereas addressing diaper need can lead to economic opportunity for families and communities and improved health for children, thus ensuring all children and families have access to the basic necessities required to thrive and reach their full potential; Whereas diaper banks and the staff and volunteers who run them are community leaders and logistics experts who ensure a stable and sustainable supply of basic necessities for members of their communities; and Whereas through their important work of addressing diaper need, diaper banks play a critical role in supporting families, improving infant health and well-being, and advancing local and State economic growth: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) expresses its gratitude for the courageous service of those who operate or support diaper banks and diaper distribution programs in their local communities throughout the ongoing COVID–19 pandemic; (2) supports the important efforts made by diaper banks and distribution programs to provide families in their communities with basic necessities in response to lack of income, poverty, natural disasters, and the COVID–19 pandemic; and (3) encourages the people of the United States to address diaper need by donating generously to diaper banks, diaper drives, and organizations that distribute diapers to families in need.

Summary: This resolution expresses support for organizations that distribute diapers to families in need and encourages donations to such organizations.