NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Rick Chambers

269.873.5820
rick.chambers@rickchambersassociates.com

UNITED WAY DIAPER DRIVE AIMS FOR 50,000 DIAPERS

TO AID LOW-INCOME FAMILIES ACROSS REGION
Effort Links Nonprofits, Businesses, Volunteers in Calhoun, Kalamazoo Counties

BATTLE CREEK and KALAMAZOO, Michigan (May 25, 2017)A massive volunteer effort will
tackle a chronic need among low-income families by gathering 50,000 donated infant and
toddler diapers from across Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.
United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region (UWBCKR) is spearheading the
drive, which will bring together regional businesses and more than 100 volunteers to gather,
repackage, and deliver the diapers to 45 nonprofit agencies that will then distribute the diapers
to families in need. Community members can donate diapers June 16-20, which will be followed
by a huge repackaging effort on June 21.
The United Way Diaper Drive represents what United Way is all about: bringing
together the community to tackle specific problems in meaningful ways, said Alyssa Stewart,
Director of Strategy & Engagement at UWBCKR.
For families in or near poverty, something as simple as diapers for babies are a source
of financial stress, Stewart added. Sometimes that means families are forced to leave babies
in a diaper for longer than they should, which puts an infants health at risk. Even one baby
without access to clean diapers is simply unacceptable.
Statistics put a fine point on Stewarts concern. Infants in the Battle Creek and
Kalamazoo region, particularly babies of color or from low-income families, face a higher risk of
death in their first year. In fact, African-American babies in the region are more likely to die
before their first birthday than are babies in Libya, Mexico and other developing countries.
While diaper drives arent unusual, the United Way Diaper Drive is unique in its broad,
diverse scope of participants and in its goal to gather 50,000 diapers in just five days, Stewart
said.
Some Diaper Drive sponsors will serve as drop-off sites for anyone wishing to donate
diapers, while participating agencies and businesses will gather diapers donated within their
workplaces. All sizes are welcome; sizes 2-5 are most in demand. Those wishing to make a cash
gift to help purchase diapers can text DIAPER to 41444 or drop donations off at a Kellogg
Community Federal Credit Union branch.
All the donated diapers will be brought to two repackaging centersW.K. Kellogg
Auditorium, 50 W. Van Buren St. in Battle Creek; and Kalamazoo RESA West Campus, 4606
Croyden Ave., in Kalamazoo. Volunteers will work in two-hour shifts on June 20-21 to repackage
the diapers, which will then be sent to 45 partner agencies to distribute to families in need.
Among those agencies are St. Lukes Diaper Bank in Kalamazoo, Charitable Union in Battle
Creek, the Battle Creek Diaper Network, and many others who provide diapers in the region
year-round.
The need in the community is much greater than 50,000 can diapers can meet, so
were encouraging everyone to join us and show the region how we can make a powerful
difference when we work together, Stewart said.
Sponsors of the United Way Diaper Drive are UWBCKR, CTI Mechanical Contractors Inc.,
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services, Kellogg Community Credit Union, Molina
Healthcare, OnStaff Group, Prairie Farms Dairy Inc., and WWMT Newschannel 3.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Those who wish to volunteer for the Diaper Drive can text VLNTR to 50503, email
getinvolved@uwbckr.org or call (269)788-1136.
Donated diapers can be dropped off during normal business hours at the following
locations:
OnStaff Group: 565 W. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek; 5207 Portage Road,
Portage.
Kellogg Community Credit Union: 41 Second St., Battle Creek; 51 W. Michigan
Ave., Battle Creek; 1425 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek; 6427 B Dr. N, Battle Creek;
2925 W. Dickman Rd., Battle Creek; 15877 W. Michigan Ave., Marshall; 5067 Gull
Road, Kalamazoo; 499 Romence Rd., Portage; 1650 S. Drake Rd., Kalamazoo.
Diapers also can be dropped off at United Way offices at 34 W. Jackson St., Battle Creek;
and 709 S. Westnedge Ave., Kalamazoo.

About UWBCKR
United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region envisions a vibrant community where all
people realize their full potential. UWBCKR drives impact by leading shared efforts that engage
diverse people, ideas and resources. We partner across all sectors year-round to achieve
measurable progress towards specific goals in education, income and healththe building
blocks for a good quality life. On the Web: www.changethestory.org. Also check us out on
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.