LITTLE CHUTE, WI (WTAQ) – A nonprofit in the Fox Valley is partnering with organizations in Australia to provide much-needed aid for families who were forced to flee their homes due to the raging bush fires around the continent.
When it comes to disaster relief, things like diapers (or nappies, as Australians call them) aren’t always the first thought.
“Diapers are really overlooked when it comes to disaster relief. People think of food, clothing, shelter, and water – you don’t think about diapers unless there’s a baby in your life, honestly,” says Stephanie Bowers
She’s the founder and executive director of Jake’s Diapers, a nonprofit organization that provides hygiene essentials to those in need.
“Our biggest need right now is financial support to help ship all of our donated diapers to Australia,” Bowers says.
Jake’s Diapers in Little Chute is the largest cloth diaper bank in the world. They are working closely with groups like the Cloth Community Fund Australia to provide diaper kits directly to families impacted by the fires.
“The two organizations that we’re working with have specifically asked for brand new cloth diapers – and that’s what we do – so we were able to come alongside and help them,” Bowers tells WTAQ News, “We’re excited to help them out because we know that they personally know the families they’re helping. And they’re just getting started, so it’s our opportunity to help them get going.”
But Bowers says providing the diapers can have more meaning than simply providing a necessity for young families.
“They fled their home because of the wildfire and now they have a baby and can’t go back home. What do you do? It’s just those little things we’re able to provide, a sense of hope and a sense of dignity, in meeting the needs that they’re specifically asking for.”
If you want to volunteer or donate, head to jakesdiapers.org.
