WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to Senate leadership urging the Senate to support low-income families and frontline workers who are in critical need of diaper assistance to provide for the health, safety, and economic security of their children. This comes as parents face layoffs due to unprecedented unemployment during COVID-19, plus recent reports of diaper shortages as a result of stockpiling and supply chain issues.

“Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, nonprofit diaper bank distribution only met five to six percent of diaper need,” the Senators wrote. “Most diaper banks, which were already oversubscribed and had waiting lists for partner agencies, are now facing severe supply shortages due to the demand increase as more families experience job loss during this pandemic.”

The Senators continue, “Having access to these services is especially imperative for our essential workers so that their children can be accepted into daycare or childcare facilities. Essential workers should not have to worry about diaper need becoming a barrier for accessing childcare…We urge you to prioritize the need of low-income families and front-line workers who are in critical need of diaper assistance to provide for the health, safety, and economic security of their children”

Read the full letter here.

###