SKOWHEGAN — More than 150,000 diapers were recently donated to the Kennebec Valley Community Action Program from The Honest Company.

KVCAP connected with The Honest Company through Baby2Baby, a nonprofit that provides children living in poverty across the country with diapers, clothing and all basic necessities. The diapers will be distributed to families throughout Kennebec and Somerset counties over the coming months.

To make this possible, Hammond Lumber provided a forklift and pallet jack and unloaded the 25 pallets of diapers. Many volunteers and community organizations assisted at KVCAP’s Skowhegan office, sorting and transporting diapers throughout the two counties, including the Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, who used their new transport van to bring diapers from Skowhegan to KVCAP’s Waterville office, according to a news release from Andrea Pasco with KVCAP.

Through a network of community partners, KVCAP’s Family Enrichment Council puts free diapers and wipes in family friendly, accessible locations. Libraries, doctor offices, food pantries, and churches are among the locations where Kennebec and Somerset families can find free diapers. “Families can always pick up diapers from our offices, but we know that is not always the best option,” said Megan Dickinson, Kennebec FEC community coordinator at KVCAP.

This diaper donation is a culmination of KVCAP’s latest round of diaper collection events and requests in response to an increase in need this winter. Following the storms in December and January, food loss and displacement from power outages and flooding only exacerbated the financial stress of many families with young children. As COVID-era financial supports have receded, families have had to work with less. The biggest need in the last year has been for diapers in sizes four, five, six and seven; pull-ups; and unscented wipes.

In 2023 KVCAP’s FEC distributed over 115,000 diapers — 88,656 in Somerset and 26,965 in Kennebec — through support from donations, grants, and community diaper drives. The Honest Company’s donation will help the program expand to other locations in the community and serve more families.

The following community organizations and partners who helped plan for, load, and unload diapers: AngleZ Behavioral Health Services, Baby2Baby, Bridging The Gap, Cambridge Food Pantry, Crisis and Counseling, CUP Cafe, Family Violence Project, Hammond Lumber and Harmony Food Pantry.

Also, Juvenile Community Corrections, Kennebec Behavioral Health, KVCAP Facilities & Transportation Departments, MaineGeneral WIC, Maine Families, Maine Grains and Pennywise Thrift Store of Pittsfield.

Also, Pittsfield Public Library, Redington Pediatrics, Regional School Unit 54, Sew for a Cause, Somerset County Sheriff’s Department, The American Legion, The Honest Company and Winthrop Food Pantry.

Those who need diapers and wipes for their family can call KVCAP at 207-859-1500.

 

Check out upcoming area events!

Copy the Story Link

Comments are not available on this story.