TROY, Mich., Oct. 05, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Faced with the recent loss of the Detroit Diaper Bank and social welfare programs that do not cover costs for diapers, parents without adequate income to cover the substantial cost of diapers for their children are struggling to avoid the resulting rashes and infections caused by their lack of fresh, disposable diapers.
Dart Appraisal, a Troy, Michigan-based appraisal management company (AMC), has joined the Diapers for the D initiative, which aims to collect 80,000 diapers for low income families in Detroit.
Dart Appraisal will collect diapers beginning Monday, Oct. 5 through Friday, Oct. 9 at its headquarters in Troy, located next to the Somerset Collection North at 2600 West Big Beaver Road, Suite 540 (contact Michelle Gimbutis at Dart Appraisal to coordinate a lobby drop-off). Online diaper donations can also be made directly through Amazon.com here.
The Diapers for the D initiative is also supported the Detroit Police, which held diaper drives at each precinct throughout the city last month. In the spirit of the former Detroit Diaper Bank, Development Centers will be assisting with the distribution of diapers to families and babies in need throughout the city.
“As a mother of two, young children, I know just how expensive the monthly diaper bill can be,” said Michelle Gimbutis, marketing manager for Dart Appraisal. “Government safety-net programs do not cover any diaper costs, so low-income families are left without the means to properly diaper their children. 1 in 3 American families struggle with diaper need, or not having enough diapers for their baby. We hope to enlist the help of the mortgage and appraisal industry to help alleviate the problem through our diaper drive at Dart Appraisal.”
“We are grateful and excited about Dart Appraisal’s support of Diapers For The D!” said Sally Bond, director of development for Development Centers. “It’s amazing how something as simple as a diaper can change a baby’s life – diapers are required for babies to access childcare; they help prevent diaper rash and other health problems and most importantly, babies with clean diapers are happier and more comfortable!”
9 Fast Facts of #DiaperNeed from the National Diaper Bank Network:
- 1 in 3 families struggle with diaper need.
- 5.3 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 wellbeing of children and parents.
- Most child care 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.
- There are more than 350 active diaper banks in the U.S.
The Diapers for the D initiative began with a group of Cranbrook and Notre Dame high school students as part of a self-developed service learning project. The students are being mentored in philanthropy efforts and using their enthusiasm and creativity to address a long-standing need. These efforts are a follow-up to Governor Snyder’s proclamation that September 28 through October 4, 2015 was Diaper Need Awareness Week. To donate directly to the Development Centers, visit www.develctrs.org and use the “donate now” button for Diapers For The D. Cash donations will be used to purchase diapers at a discounted price.
Established in 1983, Development Centers serves thousands of Detroiters and residents of neighboring Wayne County each year through its extensive offering of innovative programs and expertise in the field of human services. www.develctrs.org.
Named one of the 50 Best Mortgage Service Providers in America by Mortgage Executive Magazine in 2014 and 2015, Dart Appraisal is an independently-owned, nationwide Appraisal Management Company (AMC) founded in 1993. For two decades, the company has built a reputation of superior customer service combined with innovative technology to deliver accurate and timely residential appraisals. www.Dartappraisal.com