Western PA Diaper Bank Summer Newsletter

Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank

The region's only diaper bank, serving families since 2012

We are celebrating

A Decade of Service and we want you to join us!

A decade ago, our co-founders Phillip and Cathy Battle could have never dreamed that a diaper drive at their church would lead them to open the region’s only diaper bank and serve 12,000 families annually. Their vision and leadership have established Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank as a trusted convener of partnerships that supports families with so much more than diapers. “When God places something in your heart it becomes a reality that is faced without bias or hesitation." shares Rev. Phillip, who remains actively involved as the Diaper Bank’s Board President.

The event will honor Cathy and Phillip and our dedicated volunteers who have helped us grow from a diaper bank to a basic needs bank that now serves family members of all ages with diapers, period products, and incontinence supplies in three counties.

We are celebrating service in style on Thursday, September 29th with Mayor Ed Gainey and community leader Sabrina Saunders Mosby in the beautiful Energy Innovation Center, a historical trade school adapted into a bustling entrepreneurial hub. The event will feature live music by the Afro-American Music Institute and dinner by Black Radish Kitchen. Tickets are anticipated to sell out, so be sure to secure your seat!

The last week of September is special for diaper banks across the region, as we celebrate Diaper Needs Awareness Week a national movement that helped gain attention and grow Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank. Creating awareness has always been important to our work, and has helped us secure support for the one in three families who still struggle with providing diapers for their families.

We hope you will be able to join us for this celebration of the decade!

Do you have a memory of Phillip and Cathy or a volunteer you would like to honor in the event slideshow?

Please share with us by filling out this form and help us honor the people who have helped us serve the community for a decade.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Christina Bard at cbard@wpadiaperbank.org.

To assist with the event auction and volunteer the day of, please contact Jill Standley at jillannstandley@gmail.com.

Called to Serve

The national formula shortage has been another hurdle for struggling families. Even those who can normally locate and afford this necessity found themselves scrambling when supply was low and prices increased this spring following the Abbott formula plant shutdown in February.

Western Pennsylvania was happy to be in a position to serve our community, receiving a large donation of formula at the end of May from Baby2Baby, a national nonprofit partner specializing in emergency relief items for families. Within a couple of days of receiving the news of the donation, the Diaper Bank was able to distribute over two pallets of formula directly to the community. The Enfamil Gentlease formula was in demand since it is easier to digest for most babies.

One client was driving to Ohio to find formula. Another shared that he was on his last can and rushed over on his lunch break to make sure he could bring some home to his baby. Diaper Bank partner Symone Saul explained what a huge relief it was to have this resource for her clients. “It was such a gift to receive a massive donation of formula at a time when people were struggling more than usual to feed their babies. No parent should have to watch their child cry from hunger because greedy industries refuse to provide fair prices and access. Pittsburgh Restaurant Workers Aid is so lucky to have the Western PA Diaper Bank looking out for the many babies in our network and throughout the region.”

The Diaper Bank’s reputation under the direction of leader Cathy Battle, our robust partner network, and warehouse space put us in a position to serve parents in crisis. Our small team quickly answered the call to serve, reaching out to our partner agencies and opening up emergency distributions to the public. Through a series of four total distributions to the public and our partners, we were able to get 3,594 cans of formula into the hands of parents who could not find this essential product for their babies.

Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank is grateful to Baby2Baby, the Tull Family Foundation, and our partner agencies for enabling us to help families through this formula crisis.

If you or someone you know is still in need of formula, please email us at info@wpadiaperbank.org.

Best Books for Babies

Diaper Distribution

Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank is once again partnering with Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh - Hill District for Best Books for Babies, a free event where families can receive a book bundle specially chosen for young children along with diapers and wipes. Diaper time is reading time.

Families with babies aged birth through 18 months can join us on Saturday, July 23rd. There is no registration required and event is a drive-through with the option for families to walk up, creating accessibility for those without transportation.

From 10 am- 12 pm, families may drive up to receive a book bundle and a two-week supply of diapers (sizes 0-3). Each family may select up to two sizes of diapers, but we ask that each car represent only one family. At 1 pm families may walk up to receive their book bundle and diapers. Supplies are first come, first served and size selection is not guaranteed.

If you know a family who would benefit from the distribution, please share the event details. The diaper distribution will take place in the Central Baptist Church’s lower parking lot, located next to CLP – Hill District. Detailed driving and walk-up location information coming soon. Make sure to check our Facebook event page for more details!

Volunteers Needed!

View Details & Register

Fridays 10 am - 12 pm or 12:30 - 2:30 pm

Point Breeze Warehouse

Interested in Volunteering?

We are in need of volunteers to help us at our Point Breeze location on Fridays.

Fridays are special days at the warehouse as we open our doors to partner agencies to pick up their monthly supply of products and we can always use some extra hands to help with the distribution, wrap diapers and period supplies, or help with other tasks.

You can stay the whole day or join us for one of the 2-hour time slots.

Visit our website and click on the Volunteer Sign Up button to sign up through our Civic Champs calendar.

Other Ways to Help

Shop our Amazon Wishlist!

You can also help by shopping through AmazonSmile. Choose the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank as your charity once you sign in.