Community asked to support YMCA of Wayne County diaper drive

During May, the YMCA of Wayne County is collecting diapers, tampons, pads, wipes and adult incontinence items to support the Orrville Branch as a distribution site for the Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank (HODB) and HER Project. The community is asked to consider making a donation — physical items or financially. Items can be dropped off at the Orrville or Wooster branch.

The Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank was created to address a critical and often overlooked basic need — access to diapers. HODB is a nonprofit organization dedicated to distributing essential hygiene items — diapers, pull-ups, wipes, period supplies and incontinence products — through trusted community partners.

“We serve individuals and families experiencing need by removing barriers to these critical resources,” said Shannon English Hexamer, executive director of HODB.

It is estimated that 1 in 2 American families with children experience diaper need, and there are no state or federal child safety-net programs to allow for diaper purchase.

“Families facing financial hardship are frequently forced to choose between diapers and other essentials like food or utilities,” Hexamer said.

Hexamer explained why access to diapers is a critical health need: not being able to provide a clean diaper when needed can lead to rashes and infections which, if left untreated, can cause even greater health concerns; keeping children healthy keeps them out of the health care system; children in dirty diapers cry more, creating stress for the child and the parent alike, leading to emotional and mental health concerns; daycare centers require parents to supply their own diapers. Parents who can’t bring their children to daycare may not be able to attend work or job training programs — and can never hope to break out of the cycle of poverty.

“Families cannot thrive and contribute to their communities until they have access to basic human necessities, such as safe housing, food, medicine and diapers,” Hexamer said. “Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank seeks to help families thrive by supplying this important basic need.”

The HODB expanded to include incontinence and period supplies to ensure that no one is left without the essential items for daily living.

“As we grew and listened to our community partners, it became clear that diaper need is part of a broader issue — access to basic hygiene products," Hexamer said. "We expanded to include period supplies and adult incontinence products to support individuals across all stages of life.”

The HER Project is a program of Heart of Ohio Diaper Bank. It focuses specifically on providing period supplies and addressing period poverty, ensuring that teenage girls and women have access to the products they need to fully participate in school, work and daily life.

The HODB provides period packs (pads and tampons) through community distribution site partners and school districts in 10 counties through Stark County Educational Service Center, Stark County Health Department and Akron Children’s School Nurse Program.

The greatest donation needs right now for HOD are larger-sized diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and pull-ups), period products, menstrual pads and tampons. These items are often the most difficult for families to afford.

HODB is always in need of volunteers to help with sorting, packing and organizing product for distribution.

“Additionally,” Hexamer said, “support with community drives and outreach efforts is incredibly valuable as we continue to expand our reach.”

In-kind support, such as warehouse supplies, printing services and event support, is also needed.

“One important aspect of our work is the strength of our partnerships,” Hexamer said. “Our network of community distribution partners allows us to reach families where they already feel safe and supported. This collaborative approach is key to our impact. We welcome partnerships of all kinds … (and) … are always excited to collaborate with those who share our mission.”

Lindsey Baumgartner, Orrville YMCA branch director, said there's a reason the Y got involved as a distribution partner in 2024.

“This partnership is so important for families in and around Wayne County,” she said. “At the Y, we already serve low-income families with financial aid scholarships for child care, and it felt like a natural fit for them to have one more way to help their family be stable … Not only do clean diapers, wipes and period supplies allow a person to have a healthy body, but it also serves them mentally as it helps remove the burden on the cost as well as the access to those items so that they can use their funds elsewhere.”

Drop off donations at the Orrville or Wooster branch YMCAs during business hours. The Orrville branch is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. The Wooster branch is open Monday through Thursday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Call or stop in to make a cash donation. Donations are accepted year-round.

Other Wayne County distribution partners for donating or obtaining supplies include Community Action Wayne/Medina’s Wooster office and food banks in Rittman and West Salem. All sites have a 24-hour donation drop box on-site.

Find HODB online at https://www.heartofohiodiaperbank.org/. Contact the nonprofit through the website contact form or directly via email at info@heartofohiodiaperbank.org or 330-488-7558.

For questions regarding donating to the YMCA diaper drive, call 330-683-2153 or email Baumgartner at lindseyb@ymcawayne.org.