By Bob Katzen
The Massachusetts Association for Community Action (MASSCAP) announced that it has been awarded $600,000 in federal funds to extend for another year, the federal diaper pilot program that provides diapers for low-income families. The $600,000 is on top of the original $1.2 million grant that funded the program for two years. MASSCAP has operated the program with 16 agencies across Massachusetts and Connecticut to distribute over two million diapers to low-income families.
“The continuance of resources … signals a definitive recognition that this is a very real issue for countless families experiencing low incomes,” said Joe Diamond, MASSCAP Executive Director. “However, in Massachusetts, more than one third of families struggle to afford enough diapers, meaning we are limited in the number of families we can reach with this award.”
“Our resources support the inclusion of less than half of our agencies across the state, but all of our statewide network has indicated they have a need for diapers. Participating agencies in our network are currently operating their programs at [full] capacity and hold long waitlists,” said Colleen Cullen, MASSCAP’s Grants and Compliance Director. “We applaud the federal government for recognizing the need, but this funding only begins to scratch the surface.”
MASSCAP also urged passage of state legislation that would create a diaper program funded and operated by the state. The two bills (H 149 and S 104) were given a favorable report by the Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Committee but have been stuck in the House Ways and Means Committee since February 15.
“Access to diapers is a critical need for families across the commonwealth and no caregiver should have to make compromises because a basic necessity like diapers is unaffordable,” said Sen. Joan Lovely (D-Salem) who sponsored the bill in the Senate. “[The bill] would be a major step in supporting the caregivers of the commonwealth by expanding access to free diapers through food pantries, providing much-needed relief for our low-income families’ need.”