Bryant: 3,200 diapers and counting

Thanks for all the diapers, folks!

As I write this column, photographer Lauren Petracca is heading out to the Sand Box Indoor Playground in Fairport to pick up yet another load of donations for the Democrat and Chronicle diaper drive. Boxes at the Sand Box and other spots around town have overflowed more than once since the drive started Monday.

Diaper need is real in Rochester, where one in two children is growing up in poverty. Too many parents are stretching diapers past their intended use, which can cause painful diaper rash and serious infections. A study published in the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that diapers be considered an essential need for babies, like food and shelter. However, they are not covered by food stamps or Women, Infant and Children benefits.

Rochester parents Christina and Travis Foster launched ROC City Bottomsto help fill this gap. During a period of job uncertainty, the couple had worried about how to afford diapers. After getting on their feet, they founded a nonprofit diaper bank to help parents other avoid that awful feeling.

I wrote a story about their efforts last Friday and the Democrat and Chronicle coordinated a diaper drive to facilitate donations. I was hoping to get a couple hundred diapers. We already have more than 3,200, plus more than 500 boxes of baby wipes.

So thanks to all you donors and to the churches and businesses that displayed boxes and encouraged donations, including Dianne Chamberlain, co-owner of the Sand Box Indoor Playground. “I never knew food stamps didn't cover diapers," she said. "Diapers for a child is a basic need."

ROC City Bottoms happily accepts donations of cloth diapers, too. Some readers asked me to promote the fact that cloth diapers are more economical and friendly to the environment than disposables. One barrier to the use of cloth diapers is the fact that many daycare centers require disposable diapers. When feasible, the use of cloth diapers can help families save money and decrease the accumulation of waste in landfills.

The diaper drive for ROC City Bottoms was scheduled to end on Monday, but we have decided to extend it through Oct. 19. Donations are accepted at these locations:

Democrat and Chronicle, 55 Exchange Blvd.

Asbury United Methodist Church, 1050 East Ave.

Rebirth Ministries, 221 Maltby St.

St. Paul Day Care, 3 Vick Park B Road.

TLC Adventures in Child Care day care, 200 Bram Park Place, Greece.

TLC Adventures in Child Care day care, 7444 Victor-Mendon Road, Victor.

TLC Adventures in Child Care day care, 1030 Manitou Road, Hilton.

The Sandbox Indoor Playground & Consignment, 1350 Fairport Road, Fairport.

Toddler's Workshop, 12 May St., Webster.

Eastview Mall, Route 96, Victor (box will be located in the Mothercare room off the food court).

Erica Bryant is a columnist for the Democrat and Chronicle. Contact her at EBRYANT@Gannett.com.