By Michael Hopkins
Jewish Family Service
SAN DIEGO — Imagine running out of diapers for your child and not being able to afford to buy more. The cost of diapers has increased, along with food, rent, utilities, and more, making the squeeze on families even tighter. Today, nearly half of American families struggle to afford this essential item.
Why are diapers so essential? Having enough diapers affects the ability of parents to work. Most childcare centers require families to send their children with a supply of diapers. Recent studies* have shown that in the past year, a quarter of parents and caregivers had to miss work due to not having enough diapers.
Jackie
“Right now, everything in San Diego is so expensive—including diapers. The JFS Diaper Bank is really helping our family. Not having to buy as many diapers means I can afford to buy other things my family needs.”
– Jackie & baby Zion
Thanks to a partnership with the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank and generous community donors, the JFS Diaper Bank provides families with 75 free diapers a month for each child in their family who requires them. From July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024, Jewish Family Service provided 1,325 families, including more than 1,780 children, with more than 281,000 diapers. This adds up to a potential savings of $900 for each family—allowing them to spend their wages on other critical needs.
Karla
“The JFS Diaper Bank has been such a blessing for our family. The amount of diapers we receive means I can go a whole month without having to worry. And it’s helping us afford more organic foods so we can give our baby the best start in life.”
– Karla
Your gift today will connect San Diegan families to more than just diapers, you’ll be helping to provide families with compassionate care and critical resources—including nutritional support, housing and transportation assistance, aging care, and more. Together, we can create a caring community with services that uplift and empower—helping families stabilize, move forward, and thrive.
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Michael Hopkins is the chief executive officer of Jewish Family Service of San Diego.