Special to IFN

The Iredell County Partnership for Young Children’s Pampered Pantry continues to meet a critical need in our community by providing diapers and wipes to families struggling to afford these basic necessities.

In the past year, the program served 467 families and 646 children, distributing 2,093 packs of diapers and wipes.

Diaper need is a silent but widespread crisis. One in two families in the U.S. struggles to afford diapers. Parents working multiple jobs often face the impossible choice of whether to spend limited funds on diapers, food, rent or medicine. Because government programs like WIC and SNAP do not cover diaper costs, families are left to stretch supplies, often leaving children in the same diaper for extended periods. This can lead to diaper rash, discomfort, infections, and added stress for both children and parents.

“No parent should have to choose between keeping their child clean and healthy or paying another essential bill,” said Lisa Pullis, ICPYC deputy director. “The Pampered Pantry exists to make sure families don’t face those choices alone. We rely on the generosity of our community to make this possible.”

Families most often need larger diaper sizes (4, 5, 6, 7 and pull-ups), highlighting both the high demand for bigger diapers and the struggle families face with the transition to potty training.

The need for diapers continues to grow in Iredell County, and community support is essential to sustaining this program. Donations of diapers, wipes, and financial gifts directly support families in crisis in Iredell County. Community members can also donate items from the Pampered Pantry Amazon Wishlist, making it easy to send much-needed supplies directly to the Partnership.

“Our Amazon Wishlist and donation drives are essential for keeping our shelves stocked,” said Nicole Sutton, Pampered Pantry coordinator. “Any donation, whether it’s a box of diapers, a pack of wipes, or a monetary donation, directly impacts a child’s health and a parent’s peace of mind. It allows us to continue our mission of lifting children to better beginnings.”

To learn more about the Pampered Pantry, donate, or shop the Amazon Wishlist, visit www.iredellsmartstart.org/pampered-pantry or contact Nicole Sutton at nsutton@icpyc.org or 704-878-9980.

ABOUT ICPYC

The Iredell County Partnership for Young Children (ICPYC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to measurably increasing learning and healthy development of children birth to age five in Iredell County. ICPYC provides services focused on raising the quality of early care and education, supporting families, advancing child health, and expanding literacy. For more information, call (704) 878-9980 or visit www.iredellsmartstart.org.

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