What is a diaper bank? With Ashley Burns of Indiana Diaper Bank
It’s National Diaper Need Awareness Week, and we caught up with Indiana Diaper Bank President and CEO Ashley Burns to talk diaper need in Indiana, the impact of recent legislative changes, and the organization’s growth since theCityMoms first sat down with founder (and CityMoms member!) Rachael Suskovich. Read on to learn about the importance of diaper banks in the community and ways to get involved.
In 2017, Indianapolis was considered a “diaper desert,” meaning there was no existing diaper bank or similar organization in or around the city. Indiana Diaper Bank was the first of its kind to be established in the entire state.
When she’s not buried under diapers, Indiana Diaper Bank President and CEO Ashley Burns and her family enjoy attending baseball or soccer games, camping, and visiting Michigan.
Since its establishment, Indiana Diaper Bank has grown to employ one full-time and two part-time staff members - in addition to the hundreds of volunteer hours each month relied upon to fulfill their mission. Ashley Burns, who was the organization’s first volunteer, served on the board for a few years before feeling the pull to transition from her teaching job and help others in a different capacity: as the President and CEO of Indiana Diaper Bank. In this role she is responsible for obtaining diapers through donations and grant writing, identifying volunteer needs, making and managing connections with community partners, and balancing diaper distribution to these various partners.
Volunteers at Indiana Diaper Bank.
So what is a diaper bank and why is it important?
Unlike a food pantry, caregivers in need of diapers don’t just pick up needed items. Instead, Indiana Diaper Bank developed a network of community partners who distribute diapers to those in need. The beauty of this system is that Indiana Diaper Bank has a narrow focus (securing diapers and wipes for distribution), and caregivers can obtain diapers from a location that is convenient for them. “If people are in need of diapers and wipes, they’re usually in need of other things,” explains Ashley. “We try to make sure diapers are going into the community where people can get them and feel comfortable receiving diapers.”
Volunteers of all ages spend time making a difference at Indiana Diaper Bank.
Diaper need happens when caregivers are unable to provide the diapering supplies needed to keep their baby clean and dry. In Indiana, one in three families fall short, and public benefits such as WIC and SNAP (formerly food stamps) can’t be used toward their purchases. This year, National Diaper Need Awareness Week is happening from September 24 - October 2 to call attention to this issue.
Want to learn more about how diaper need affects babies and their families? Get the dirty details here.
For Indiana Diaper Bank, it is about advocating for legislative change and ensuring that diapers are seen as a necessity. Fortunately, legislation was recently passed in Indiana removing the sales tax from diaper purchases through July of 2023. In the meantime, Indiana Diaper Bank is continuing its work to advocate for diapers to remain tax-exempt beyond this date. “Hopefully at some point diapers will be seen as a necessity in the same way food is a necessity,” Ashley urges.
Volunteers at Indiana Diaper Bank give hundreds of hours every month.
So how can you support Indiana Diaper Bank?
There is no shortage of ways to get involved:
Sign up to join a volunteer event (which take place on the first Saturday of each month)
Coordinate a diaper drive
Make a donation at one of the many diaper drop spots throughout Indiana (Indiana Diaper Bank accepts both new or open packages of diapers as well as wipes, clean cloth diapers, and creams)
Give a monetary donation to help Indiana Diaper Bank purchase diapers in bulk at a discounted rate
Have fun and attend the 1st Annual Bottoms Up Bash, on October 1st
