Legislators recognize National Diaper Need Awareness Week
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski September 30, 2024
HARRISBURG, Sept. 30 – State Reps. Carol Hill-Evans, Kyle Mullins and Eddie Day Pashinski today recognized National Diaper Need Awareness Week, which ran from Sept. 23-29, with a news conference in the state Capitol.
“Being unable to afford diapers is an issue that impacts about half of the families in Pennsylvania. That’s why I proposed creating a program to strengthen the commonwealth’s network of diaper banks and expand access to clean diapers for those who need them,” said Hill-Evans, D-York. “This is not only a matter of dignity, but also of public health. We have the power, if we work together, to help people avoid the very preventable but serious health issues that come with a lack of clean diapers.”
“Raising and caring for children is one of the greatest gifts in this life,” said Mullins, a father of two young children who represents portions of Lackawanna County. “But I know from recent experience that this care requires an endless supply of diapers, the cost of which adds up quickly. No parent or child should be forced to go without these essential products because they can’t afford them.”
“Nearly one in two families with young children in America experience diaper need, which is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant or child clean, dry and healthy,” said Pashinski, D-Luzerne. “The awareness that is drawn to this week is essential to help ensure that the diaper need issue can be resolved.”
“Diapers continue to be one of the most-requested items for families in need,” said state Rep. Tina Davis, D-Bucks, who sponsored H.R. 534 with Hill-Evans, Mullins and Pashinski. “Diaper Need Awareness Week not only shines a spotlight on the need for a robust diaper bank program, but it also informs the public of ways to help.”