Community Diaper Duty Wraps Up with Over 200 Packages of Diapers Donated
The community showed up in a big way for local babies and families this summer. The EPIC Center’s first Community Diaper Duty brought individuals, businesses, churches, and organizations together from July 15 through Labor Day to help meet one of the most basic needs of families with young children: diapers.
By the end of the drive, the community had donated more than 200 packages of diapers and 10 packages of wipes, along with more than $800 in financial gifts that EPIC will use to purchase diapers as supplies begin to run low.
“We have been so encouraged by the response,” said Emma Barnes, Executive Director of the EPIC Center. “People donated a pack of diapers on their way to work, churches collected together, businesses gave us space for bins, and organizations rallied their members. Every single donation added up. This really was our community taking care of its families.”
The need for diapers is ongoing. Babies can use 8–12 diapers every day, and EPIC serves a growing number of parents with young children. Through EPIC’s parenting education program, moms and dads earn diapers and other baby essentials as they attend classes and gain practical knowledge and skills to help their families thrive.
That made every package collected during Community Diaper Duty about more than keeping a baby dry. Each donation will help encourage a parent who is learning, growing, and working toward a stronger future for their child.
EPIC is especially grateful to the businesses, churches, and organizations that served as Community Diaper Duty collection partners.
In Kinston, collection partners included Ivy’s Home and Garden, Hinson’s Printing, HOW II, Truist on Vernon Avenue, and Pizza Villa.
In New Bern, partners included Fantastic Sams, Pizza Hut on S. Glenburnie Road, Paula’s Italian Restaurant, Twin Rivers Eastern NC YMCA, Bearly the Hatchet, CrossFit Burn, Covenant Presbyterian Church, and Berean Community Church.
“We couldn’t have done this without our collection partners or the many people who filled their bins,” said Barnes, “They made it easy for people to give right where they live, work, worship, and do business. Seeing those bins fill up was such a wonderful reminder of how generous Eastern North Carolina can be.”
While Community Diaper Duty may be over for this year, the diapers will continue making a difference in the weeks and months ahead. The financial gifts raised during the campaign will also allow EPIC to restock the sizes families need most when donated supplies begin to run low.
The EPIC Center is a nonprofit organization that supports women and families with offices in Kinston and New Bern. EPIC provides a range of services including free pregnancy tests, free limited ultrasounds, prenatal and parenting classes, and material assistance, all aimed at empowering women to make informed choices and supporting them throughout their journey to motherhood. For more information about the EPIC Center and its services, please visit easternpregnancy.net.
