Page 5 - Hawaii Island MidWeek - Sep 29 2021

PROOF POSITIVE
Providing Local Families With Diapers, Essentials
SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK 5
Hawai‘i Diaper Bank is the first and only Hawai‘i Island non- profit to provide free diapers, wipes and other essentials to low-income families with young children. Hawai‘i Di- aper Bank was founded in 2016 when Jessica Histo, a registered nurse, was looking to donate diapers that her son had outgrown, but found no area organization focused on accepting diaper donations and distributing them to families in need.
which affects our island,” says Histo, who serves as president. Without help from organi- zations like Hawai‘i Diaper Bank, the average low-income family pays nearly $1,000 a
from Hawai‘i Diaper Bank this summer. The family reported that they were motivated by the monthly diaper donations to engage with their family outreach coordinator at Neigh- borhood Place of Puna to find stable housing and overcome other barriers.
include dinner for two: Ume- kes Fish Market Bar & Grill’s award-winning cioppino (sea- food stew).
By Hannah London, board chair of Hawai‘i Diaper Bank
“Diaper need impacts 1 in 3 families, and there are no gov- ernment programs focused on addressing diaper need. There- fore,itisuptousasacom- munity to solve this problem
Hawai‘i Diaper Bank helps more than 300 babies and their families each month.
PHOTOS COURTESY HAWAI‘I DIAPER BANK
Diaper Bank has collected and distributed more than 700,000 donations. On average, we help 339 children per month. Hawai‘i Diaper Bank’s dona- tions are distributed through a network of partner organiza- tions, helping to connect fam- ilies to other resources and ser- vices. For example, an ‘ohana residing at the homeless shelter of one of our partner organiza- tions, Neighborhood Place of Puna, began receiving diapers
To support our efforts to eliminate diaper need in Ha- wai‘i, Hawai‘i Diaper Bank will be hosting its annual fundraising event — Wipe Out Diaper Need — on Oct. 1. The event is an exclusive virtual concert with Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Kimié Miner. Big Island residents can also purchase tickets that
To donate, purchase tickets and learn more, visit hawaiid- iaperbank.org or email info@ hawaiidiaperbank.org.
year for diapers.
Since its founding, Hawai‘i
Wipe Out Diaper Need is timed to coincide with the end of National Diaper Need Awareness Week, an annual campaign during which diaper banks from around the country work together with state and local governments to raise awareness about diaper need. As part of its National Diaper Need Awareness Week efforts, Hawai‘i Diaper Bank is asking for financial donations and do- nations of diapers and wipes.
Mahalo East Hawaii
for voting us Best Alternative Care!!!
in HILO
Call: 969-3051
670 Kekuanaoa Street Mon - Fri 8:30am - 6:30pm Sat - Sun 8:30am - 4:30pm
in KEAAU
Call: 966-7942 16-590 Old Volcano Hwy Mon - Fri 8:30am-6:30pm Sat - Sun 8:30am-4:30pm
Most Insurance accepted, including Kaiser.
Walk-In Medical Care
hilourgentcare.com
Immediate non-emergent care for illnesses, minor wounds, or injuries from work, sports, home and auto. Physical Exams. X-Rays.