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The average family with children wearing diapers spends around $1,000 per child on diapers each year, according to the National Diaper Bank.
The Rockbridge Area Relief Association set a goal of collecting 11,000 diapers during a recent diaper drive event.
Thanks to strong community support, the drive met the goal and gathered a three-month supply of diapers for its Neighborhood Grocery.
The diaper drive took place July 9-14 and was organized by RARA’s summer interns.
Collection bins were placed at local businesses, including Kroger, Devils Backbone, Pronto, Hull’s Drive-In, and Yellow Brick Road.
Diapers collected through the drive will be distributed to area families who come to the Neighborhood Grocery.
While RARA receives a grant through the Dan and Betsy Brittigan Endowment Fund at Lexington Presbyterian Church to purchase diapers, they are a popular item and are distributed quickly. RARA relies on community donations the rest of the year to keep the diapers fully stocked.
RARA is grateful for the outpouring of donations from community members towards their goal, said a spokeswoman.
Although the diaper drive lasted only one week, donations of baby supplies, health and hygiene items, and food can be made throughout the year. For more information, visit www.raralex.org/donate.
