Newborns go through nearly 3,000 diapers in their first year, and continue to need thousands of diapers well into their toddlerhood. Having enough diapers is a necessity for babies, yet a recent survey by the National Diaper Bank Network found that nearly half of American families with young children struggle to afford diapers.
For caregivers working hourly shifts, providing a child with diapers can mean choosing between diapers and bus fare, or missing work when their child can’t attend daycare without a day’s worth of diapers. This diaper gap costs many Chicago caregivers about $630 in lost wages every month. For some Chicago neighborhoods, that can equate to a month’s rent, putting even more strain on families.
No federal benefit program covers diapers. Caregivers can’t purchase diapers with SNAP or WIC. Some states are starting to build programs to help caregivers, such as Tennessee and Delaware, which offer Medicaid diaper benefits. California went further this year, launching a program that gives 400 free diapers to newborns at participating hospitals. Until more states follow, diaper banks carry much of the load, and the return is measurable: a study of the Diaper Bank of Connecticut found that every dollar spent on diaper aid led to an $11 increase in family income.
Until policies to close the diaper gap are nationwide, nonprofits like Share Our Spare are working to make a difference. Share Our Spare (SOS), a Make It Better Foundation 2026 Philanthropy Award winner, is Chicago’s largest diaper and essential-supply bank, ensuring every Chicago-area child ages 0–5 has the essentials for their health and development.
In 2025, SOS and partners distributed 2.25 million diapers (188,000 every month) to more than 35,000 children. The organization also donated 302,000 supplies through 227 community partners spanning all 77 Chicago neighborhoods.
5 Simple Ways to Help Close the Diaper Gap
Communities don’t have to wait for policy changes to act. Closing the diaper gap can start with small acts from a single person.
- Talk to your elected officials about diaper benefits.
- Donate clean, unused diapers and supplies.
- Sign up for a volunteer shift at a diaper bank.
- Turn an office, school, faith community, or block into a drive for donations.
- Make a financial donation to a diaper bank such as Share our Spare.
When individuals support diaper banks and talk to elected officials about diaper benefits, they’re not just filling a gap for one month; they’re helping build the case for permanent solutions in Illinois and beyond.
This post was submitted as part of our “You Said It” program. We encourage you to share your ideas and efforts to make the world a better place by submitting a “You Said It,” which can serve as the application for a $1,000 grant award from the Make It Better Foundation for a nonprofit you champion and eligibility for a Philanthropy Award, grant content partnership, and greater engagement with our audience.
How to Help
Donations to Share Our Spare can have a significant impact on the health and safety of Chicago area children and the mental well-being and economic stability of families across the region. Share Our Spare’s operating model relies on the collection of new and gently used items for newborns to age 5. As important as in-kind donations, financial support enables Share Our Spare to reach more of the 30+ agency partners, thus reaching more children and families, and helps cover the expense of diapers and other essentials the organization purchases every year.
S. Mayumi “Umi” Grigsby, Esq., is the Executive Director of Share Our Spare, Chicago’s largest diaper and essential-supply bank, partnering with community organizations to ensure every child ages 0–5 has the basics they need to thrive.
