JLMN Secures 15000 Diapers To Reduce Diaper Disparity

Gregory Burrus
3 min readJan 18, 2021

Diaper disparity is real. According to The Diaper Dilemma, “One in three U.S. mothers experiences diaper need, which, for kids, can lead to infections, rashes, irritability, and trouble securing childcare.” For struggling low income families this diaper affordability gap causes caregivers to “stretch” the diapers which causes stress, guilt, anxiety and problems at work — which also leads to why so many new moms feel depressed and anxious.

Hearing this information, the Junior League of Montclair-Newark (JLMN) jumped right in to address this disparity by promoting and educating the community about a little known diaper bank located here in Essex County. Modestly Cover Diaper Bank of Essex County (MCDBEC) is the first official diaper bank serving Essex County and has provided over 80,000 diapers since 2016. Their mission is to ensure that families living below the poverty level and low income in Essex County have an adequate supply of diapers for their infants, toddlers and seniors.

The JLMN, realizing the power of community support, decided to reach out to the community to promote MCDBEC as well as educate about the needs and opportunities to serve this most important and impactful charity! To that end, the League offered a $1000 matching donation to for community members to match in support of (MCDBEC).

The JLMN worked vigorously to organize efforts to ensure the matching donation would be achieved. The Junior League was successful in rallying the community to match the $1,000 donations which secured an ultimate donation of 15,000 diapers!

The very grateful JLMN President Heather E LeClair stated: “Diaper disparity causes economic and emotional stress with long term effects for many low income families. We are thankful for everyone’s generosity and look forward to supporting MCDBEC’s mission to end diaper disparity in our communities in the future.”

You can support this ongoing effort by contacting the Junior League of Montclair Newark at https://www.jlmn.org/

About Modestly Cover Diaper Bank

MCDBEC provides diapers to social service organizations that are already helping families in need through comprehensive programs and services. MCDBEC has found that distributing diapers in this way ensures they reach those who need them most. It also provides partnering organizations a resource — diapers — they are not normally able to provide, increasing the services they can offer. By working with organizations that are already well established in the community and currently working with families in need, MCDBEC ensures that the diapers collected are distributed to infants and babies in the most efficient and timely manner.

About Junior League Montclair-Newark (JLMN)

The JLMN is a nonprofit organization of trained volunteers. Through hands-on projects and partnerships, our members build a better community by promoting education, health and wellness, literacy and the arts for children at risk each year. Our service area includes the Essex County communities of Bloomfield, the Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Montclair, Newark and Verona. Other communities within Essex County may be considered for JLMN involvement on a case-by-case basis and with Board approval.

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Gregory Burrus

Gregory Burrus is a local live music ambassador, producer, promoter, curator, event planner, and community partner. Stay up to date on future events