Approximately one-third of families nationwide are unable to afford the diapers they need to keep their baby clean and dry, typically an $80-$100 cost per child per month.
Through funding provided by the Washington State Department of Commerce, First Step has transformed its emergency diaper program into a robust Diaper Bank network across the Olympic Peninsula offering substantial diaper assistance for families in both Clallam and Jefferson counties at multiple convenient locations.
First Step started offering the broader diaper services in April of this year, and since that time has distributed over 64,000 diapers to clients, accompanied by almost 800 packages of baby wipes. Each child in need is allowed up to two large sleeves of diapers and two packages of wipes per month, a dramatic health and economic benefit to families facing financial shortages.
With the addition of generous community donations, First Step has been able to distribute 63 cans of infant formula since April 2022, in spite of the troubling formula crisis throughout the earlier part of this year.
Diaper and supply pickup locations are located at First Step Drop-In Center during normal Drop-In hours, YMCA Port Townsend during limited office hours, and Brinnon Community Center. Other locations are offering First Step sourced diapers to their current clients, including North Olympic Healthcare Network, Jamestown Healing Clinic, and Jefferson Healthcare.
Funding provided by the Department of Children, Youth, and Families for concrete goods brought safety equipment to the supply depots. Funding provided by United Healthcare has been used to for infant carriers. Families have received baby gates, high chairs, strollers, infant carriers, and breastfeeding support products.
For more information about diapers and supplies, or to donate or partner with us, contact Kelsi Millet at (360) 457-8355 or Kelsi_fstep@olypen.com
