Kennebec Valley Community Action Program’s Family Enrichment Councils serve as Child Abuse and Neglect Councils for Kennebec and Somerset County. As part of its annual diaper drive, KVCAP plans to host “Stuff the Cruiser” events, in partnership with local law enforcement, at the following four locations during the last two weeks of October.
• Madison Hannaford, 225 Upper Main St., Friday, Oct. 22, 3-6 p.m.
• Augusta Hannaford, 29 Whitten Road, Wednesday, Oct. 27, noon-3 p.m.
• Skowhegan Hannaford, 100 Fairgrounds Marketplace, Friday Oct. 29, 3-6 p.m.
Why KVCAP’s diaper drive is so important, according to the Center for Economic and Policy Research:
• One in three families struggle with diaper need;
• 5.2 million babies and toddlers under the age of 3 live in poor and low-income families;
• Government safety-net programs do not recognize diapers as a basic need;
• Diapers cannot be obtained with food stamps, and are classified with cigarettes, alcohol and pet food as disallowed purchases;
• Diaper need impacts the physical, mental and economic well-being of children and parents;
• Most childcare centers require parents to provide a day’s supply of disposable diapers (four to six changes during the day);
• Many parents cannot go to work or school if they can’t leave their babies at child care;
• Infants require up to 12 diapers per day, at a cost of $70 to $80 per month per baby; and
• The poorest 20% of Americans who buy diapers spend nearly 14% of their post tax income on diapers.
For more information, contact Andrea Pasco, KVCAP’s development director, at 207-859-1630.
The Kennebec Valley Community Action Program assists people in Kennebec, Somerset, Lincoln and Sagadahoc counties. It is a private, nonprofit organization, with an annual budget of 40.2 million and 280 employees. KVCAP is headquartered in Waterville, with offices in Augusta, Skowhegan, Wiscasset, and several outreach locations.
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