WNY for Hope Diaper & Hygiene Drive
Supporting families across Western New York
through community partnership and essential care.
About the Drive
The WNY for Hope Diaper & Hygiene Drive is a collaborative community effort created to support families across Western New York with essential care items such as diapers, wipes, and hygiene products.
Following the tragic events of May 14, 2022, community members and organizations came together to find meaningful ways to support families and bring healing to Buffalo’s East Side. During that time, Kate Glaser, Founder of Hope Rises, reached out with an idea to give back and raise awareness about the work of Every Bottom Covered, an organization dedicated to addressing diaper need in our community.
As the effort began to take shape, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Delta Sonic stepped in as founding sponsors, providing the foundational support needed to launch and grow the drive. Their continued commitment year after year has played a critical role in sustaining and expanding the impact of this initiative across Western New York.
Hope Rises is a storytelling and community engagement platform that uplifts community impact work and connects people to causes that create meaningful change. Through media, partnerships, and awareness campaigns, the platform helps amplify the work of organizations serving Western New York families and encourages continued community support.
What began as a simple idea rooted in compassion has grown into an annual community initiative. Today, the drive is carried out through collaboration between Every Bottom Covered and Home Beneath Our Feet, alongside local businesses, nonprofits, community organizations, and faith partners committed to ensuring families have access to the basic supplies they need.
Through donations, partnerships, and community events, the WNY for Hope Diaper & Hygiene Drive continues to strengthen support systems for families while honoring the spirit of resilience, healing, and hope within our community.
500,000+
DIAPERS DISTRIBUTED
700+
FAMILIES SUPPORTED
100+
YOUTH ENGAGED
10+
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
15+
DONATION LOCATIONS
5+
COMMUNITY EVENTS
COMMUNITY IMPACT
Together, our partners are working to support families, strengthen neighborhoods, and build hope across Western New York.
Through diaper distribution, community engagement, and youth-centered programming, we are creating opportunities for families and communities to thrive.
GET INVOLVED
WHY DIAPER NEED MATTERS
Many families struggle to afford basic necessities like diapers and hygiene supplies.
• Nearly 1 in 2 U.S. families with young children experience diaper need
• Babies require 2,500–3,000 diapers during their first year
• Diapers are not covered by assistance programs such as SNAP or WIC
• Families often must choose between buying diapers and paying for food, rent, or utilities
Organizations like Every Bottom Covered, Western New York’s diaper bank, work to ensure families have access to these basic essentials so parents can care for their children with dignity.
The WNY for Hope Drive helps expand this work by raising awareness and collecting supplies throughout the community.
WHY BASIC HYGIENE ACCESS MATTERS
Access to basic hygiene products is essential for health, dignity, and everyday participation in school, work, and community life. Yet many families struggle to afford items such as soap, toothpaste, menstrual products, and other personal care essentials.
• Nearly 1 in 3 low-income families report struggling to afford basic hygiene products such as soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.
• Hygiene items are not covered by most federal assistance programs, including SNAP and WIC, which means families must purchase them out of already limited household budgets.
• Lack of access to hygiene supplies can impact physical health, mental well-being, school attendance, and workplace participation.
• Students without basic hygiene products may experience embarrassment, social stigma, and barriers to participating fully in school activities.
Community drives like the WNY for Hope Diaper & Hygiene Drive help ensure that families have access to essential items that support health, dignity, and confidence for both children and adults.
WHY URBAN GARDENING & YOUTH PROGRAMMING MATTER
Community gardening and youth programming play an important role in building healthier neighborhoods and empowering young people.
Youth who participate in gardening programs develop:
• Leadership and teamwork skills
• Environmental awareness
• Healthy habits and nutrition knowledge
• A stronger connection to their communities
Urban gardens also bring neighbors together and create spaces for healing, reflection, and community pride.
The Community Planting Day on May 16 celebrates these benefits by bringing families, youth, and organizations together to plant, learn, and connect while supporting the WNY for Hope Diaper & Hygiene Drive.
SUPPORTING YOUTH SUMMER PROGRAMMING
In addition to supporting families with diapers and hygiene supplies, this drive also helps provide resources for youth summer programming organized by Home Beneath Our Feet.
Throughout the summer, young people participate in programs that focus on community gardening, leadership development, and neighborhood engagement.
To support these efforts, we are also collecting:
• Bookbags / backpacks
• Notebooks and folders
• Pens, pencils, crayons, and markers
• Gardening gloves
• Hand trowels and small gardening tools
• Seeds and planting supplies
• Watering cans and garden materials
These donations help ensure youth participating in summer programs have the supplies they need to learn, grow, and stay engaged in positive community activities.
FAQ
Your questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
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in Touch
Have questions or want to get involved?
We’d love to connect with you. Whether you're interested in donating, volunteering, hosting a drive, or partnering with us, please fill out the form below and a member of our team will follow up.