Kent County Diaper Bank Selected As Recipient of National Funds For Change Grant
Grant to Help the Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County
Grand Rapids, December 2, 2014— The Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent
County, a community-based not-for-profit organization that distributes diapers to
agencies that serve babies living in low-wage families in Kent County, has been
selected as one of 61 national recipients of the inaugural Funds for Change
grant awarded by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN).
“The Funds for Change grants are designed to enhance the sustainability or
capacity of individual diaper banks to address diaper need in their respective
communities,” said Alison Weir, director of programs at National Diaper Bank
Network. “NDBN is very pleased to present the Great Start Parent Coalition of
Kent County with a $1,475 grant to further its effort to help babies in Kent
County.”
According to Judy Freeman, director of the Great Start Collaborative of Kent
County, the grant will be used to develop and distribute marketing materials for
three major diaper drives in partnership with local organizations, allowing the
coalition to reach a much broader audience.
“This grant will allow us to extend our reach throughout the community, leading to
even more successful diaper drives and increasing the number of babies and
families impacted through diaper collection and distribution,” Freeman said. “We
are inspired by the children and families we work to support, and we are excited
about this partnership with the National Diaper Bank Network, as it allows us to
make an even greater impact in our community.”
In total, NDBN awarded more than $100,000 in grant funding to member diaper
banks operating in 30 states. However, the net impact of the Funds for Change
exceeds $200,000, as each NDBN grant is matched dollar-for-dollar at the local
level. The 61 grants awarded ranged in size from $800 to $2,000 and went to
both newly formed and established diaper banks, located in communities
throughout the country.
Since its first diaper distribution in June of 2009, the Great Start Parent Coalition
has helped provide more than 442,000 diapers to over 19 agencies that distribute
diapers to families throughout Kent County.
About the Great Start Parent Coalition of Kent County: A partner to the Great
Start Collaborative and First Steps of Kent County, the Great Start
Parent Coalition is a group of parents and caregivers dedicated to informing,
shaping, and supporting the early childhood work in their community. The
Coalition provides training in leadership and advocacy skills to build public
support for early childhood investment and a stronger voice for the children in
their community, preparing them for success in school and life. The Diaper Drive
is the Parent Coalition’s ongoing effort to collect and distribute diapers to families
in need in Kent County. More information on the Great Start Parent Coalition
and their Diaper Drive can be found online at www.GreatStartKent.org, and on
Facebook (facebook.com/GreatStartKent) and Twitter (@GreatStartKent).
About the National Diaper Bank Network: The National Diaper Bank Network
(NDBN) is a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that every child in the
U.S. has enough diapers to be clean, dry & healthy. Founded in 2011, the
network raises awareness of diaper need (#DiaperNeed) and supports the
development and expansion of diaper banks in communities throughout the
country. Its active membership includes more than 230 diaper banks, diaper
closets and food banks located in 48 states and the District of Columbia.
Huggies® supports NDNB as the founding sponsor, and works to combat diaper
need through the Every Little Bottom campaign by donating more than 20 million
diapers per year to families in need. More information on NDBN and diaper need
is available at www.nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org, and on Facebook
(facebook.com/NationalDiaperBankNetwork) and Twitter (@DiaperNetwork).