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START YOUR OWN DIAPER BANK! Thinking about starting a diaper bank in your community? It's not as difficult as you may think, and the result will be rewarding for all involved, and a benefit to your community! __________________________________________________ The Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank offers consultation for reasonable fees and travel costs. Please contact Kirsten Grabo if you'd like more information. __________________________________________________
There are various logistics to starting up such an endeavor, but you can start small and grow over time.
Our Diaper Bank is organized under the premise that those who need diapers very possibly need other social services as well. That's why we collect diapers (through various drives, events and through purchases funded by donations), warehouse the diapers and then distribute the diapers to a variety of partner agencies who can work with individuals in need. (We don't distribute diapers regularly out of our office.)
Having an office, phone, mailing address, and someone to coordinate, organize and proselytize is a good start.
You can seek a storage space (donated or at low cost) for diapers (they DO take up a lot of room!).
You can seek 501(c)(3) non-profit status, or look for a non-profit that might be willing to partner with your fledgling organization.
You can decide to distribute diapers yourself, coordinate pickups with a warehouse and/or partner with community service agencies.
Seek out local media to build awareness of what you're trying to achieve. Diaper Drives are very attractive to media. They're eye-catching for video and offer great (and positive) human interest stories!
You might seek additional corporate support or sponsorship from one or more local businesses.
Creativity is a definite asset when you are low on resource!
Below is some information about the the Southern Arizona Community Diaper Bank which might prove helpful.
| | Organizational Structure A Collaborative Effort of the Whole Community
The Diaper Bank's structure is collaborative. To create these collaborations, the Diaper Bank has identified the functions required to perform our mission. If some other entity is already doing that work in the community, we have found ways to collaborate to get the job done.
Here's how that structure looks: 
Bringing community forces together to provide this service substantially reduces the total amount of cash required to provide our service. And even given the cash needs that do remain, the Diaper Bank's administrative and overhead expenses are still a much-reduced part of that small dollar amount. With approximately 33% of our total budget provided in-kind, the overwhelming portion of every donation goes directly to providing diapers to those in need and raising awareness in the community of the issues that place people into poverty and crisis.
Here's how the collaboration has worked in Tucson. As we expand around the state, similar partnerships are in the process of being created. |
| Function | Responsible Party | | Project Coordination and Diaper Collection | Diaper Bank: Project coordination, creative / strategic direction, and diaper collection campaigns. | | Storage, Inventory Control and Distribution of diapers | The Beacon Group: A NonProfit focused on vocational training for the disabled, Beacon’s developmentally disabled clients use the Diaper Bank as on-the-job training. | | Client screening and casework | Agencies Who Serve the Needy: Local human service agencies are already working with the overall needs of these individuals. | | Transportation | Volunteers: Donates all pick up and delivery of large donations of diapers, including the entire dispatch function. | | Public Awareness and Sponsorship Sales | 94.9 MIXfm Radio: A saturation of public awareness by the top station in the 25-54 demographic, with the radio sales staff helping with sales of fundraising sponsorships. | | Internal Advice and Education on Specific Issues | Advisory Councils: Advice on a variety of topics - from overall agency needs to the specific needs of the elderly to strategic direction - provided by community members who care about the future of Tucson’s most vulnerable. |
| The Diaper Bank's roots extend throughout the whole community, creating the stability and accountability that only community ownership can provide: Efficiency Synergy
Accountability Expertise
Community Ownership Permanence
The Diaper Bank is more efficient in its use of resources than any independent agency can be.
The Diaper Bank's collaborations create synergies that make the community better - all through this one effort!
The Diaper Bank remains accountable through one of the most respected foundations in the community.
Most importantly, the collaborative model means that no single agency "owns" the Diaper Bank. It belongs to the community. If something happens to one part of the collaboration, the Diaper Bank will still survive.
Phone: (520) 325-1400
Fax: (520) 325-1401
4500 E. Speedway,
Suite 75
Tucson, AZ 85712
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