I have been working with families in need for many years and have heard the cry for diapers more times than I can recall. Many friends of Mitzvah Circle have told to me that they thought that diapers are free to needy parents.

This is why I thought it was important for me to share this information — diapers cannot be purchased with Food Stamps or WIC! WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income women, but not diapers or baby wipes.

Did you know that diapers are expensive and are the most frequently requested item at food banks? Diapers are an absolute necessity for anyone with a baby!

Babies without adequate supplies of diapers cannot be changed as often as necessary. This creates health issues for the baby and the whole family.

To make matters worse, infants and toddlers cannot go to day care without a change of clothes and diapers. Often this means that poor parents are unable to work because they cannot afford the clothing and supplies that are required for daycare. This continues the cycle of poverty.

During difficult times Mitzvah Circle delivers care packages to families in need or in crisis. These packages include clothing and supplies for babies and infants.

As a natural extension of our interest in comprehensive solutions to complicated problems, we would like to be able to provide diapers to babies and toddlers in need.

For this reason, we are pleased to announce the Mitzvah Circle Foundation Diaper Bank, which will supplement the care packages we already provide with this important necessity.

One more way that we reach out to people living in poverty.