According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, 33% of children in our City live below the poverty line- the highest rate in Maryland.
Diapers and baby gear are not allocated through federal or state assistance programs. The only monies that can be used are TANF which must also be used to cover rent, utilities, transportation and many other essential family costs. For poor working families, diapers alone can account for up to 12% of gross income.
1 in 3 families in the United States suffers from diaper need according to the National Diaper Bank Network. Using 2014 U.S. Census numbers, ShareBaby estimates that there are 25,000 children of diaper age living in poverty in Baltimore City.
Families dealing with diaper need face financial burden, maternal depression and increased barriers to work and childcare. Their children suffer consequences ranging from diaper rash, UTIs and increased incidence of child abuse.
