United Way Provides Grant to Erie Family Center's Diaper Depot with

Joelyn Bush, United Way

The United Way of Erie County announced Tuesday that it would fund the Erie Family Center's Diaper Depot with $10,000.

The Diaper Depot, launched in January, has seen an increase in need during the COVID-19 crisis. Families facing job loss, lack of transportation, and lack of supplies as a result of the pandemic have fallen back on services like the Diaper Depot for support.

The Diaper Depot's goal is to provide families in need in the Erie community with disposable diapers. This need is so great that most events distribute all of the diapers on hand thanks to high demand.

The support of the United Way will allow the in-demand depot to continue its operations and services to families in need through July, which will then widen the reach in the Erie community. This, in turn, helps families pay for other needs, Erie Family Center Director Kristen Costa said in a statement.

"We have provided diapers to families during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twice as often due to the increased need," Costa said. "Working with families who have found themselves without income and not receiving benefits anywhere else are able to use the money that would normally be spent on diapers to get groceries for their family, gas for their cars, or pay a bill they would otherwise not be able to."

The grant from United Way is expected to provide an estimated 60,000 diapers to an estimated 1,500 children in Erie County. The depot has also expanded to operate countywide and provide families with other items such as formula and baby wipes.

Since the depot was in its beginning stages when the pandemic hit, a grant like the one from United Way will allow it to gain its footing amid the unprecedented demand.

"Providing this funding would help the center address the heightened need as a result of COVID-19 and will allow the Erie Family Center time to explore additional funding options," Bill Jackson, president of United Way Erie County said in a statement.

To find the Diaper Depot and more resources from the Erie Family Center, go to http://eriefamilycenter.org/.

To find out more from Erie County United Way, visit https://www.unitedwayerie.org/