KJFS Diaper Distribution Effort Featured on WCSH6
JCA Staff Social Distancing Group Photo
Last Thursday, the JCA’s Michael Klahr Jewish Family Services welcomed the arrival of a Tractor Trailer Truck containing a donation of 267,958 diapers (enough to provide diapers to 4,000+ babies over the course of the next two months).
The effort was highlighted this morning on WCSH6 – News Center Maine:
Before this pandemic hit, diaper need affected 1 in 3 families. Diaper banks nationwide have seen the need for diapers DOUBLE since more families are faced with a loss of income.
The donation from The National Diaper Bank Network was made possible thanks to support from the United Way of Greater Portland‘s COVID-19 Community Relief Fund!
The COVID-19 pandemic is disproportionally impacting children and families who lack access to clean diapers and other basic necessities. Hoarding, loss of jobs, and shelter in place orders have forced more families to turn to nonprofit diaper banks, depleting available supplies.
Thanks so much to Lee Goldberg of News Center Maine for covering the arrival of the diapers, JCA staff (three cheers for Karli, Rebecca, Paul, and Molly!) and volunteers who schlepped sooo many diapers in and out of the warehouse, and to our many community partners (see list below) who will help deliver the diapers to families in need throughout Southern Maine.
And EXTRA special thanks to the United Way of Greater Portland, the National Diaper Bank Network, and to Wayside Food Programs for donating use of their warehouse space and for being a fantastic community collaborator!
If people are interested in learning more about our work or making a donation, they can visit https://www.mainejewish.org/michael-klahr-jewish-family-services/
*In addition to our agency distributing diapers, the KJFS Diaper Bank provides diapers to the following partner agencies:
City of Portland Family Shelter
JCA Facilities Director Paul has been schlepping diapers for several days at this point. Thank you Paul!!
Thank you Wayside!
Congratulations on this well deserved recognition! Keep up the good works! You make us all proud to belong to the J.
[…] learned to do things differently. We have rededicated ourselves to the commitments we hold dear: taking care of those in need, sharing the comfort, wisdom, and inspiration we find in Jewish life with those of all ages, and […]
[…] learned to do things differently. We have rededicated ourselves to the commitments we hold dear: taking care of those in need, sharing the comfort, wisdom, and inspiration we find in Jewish life with those of all ages, and […]