NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — It’s been a rough few months for those in Nashville. As families dealt with the aftermath of the tornado in March, the coronavirus pandemic hit right after forcing people out of work.
Many families are now having to rely on resources like the Nashville Diaper Connection.
"We normally give away between 74,000 and 86,000 diapers prior to storm but for tornado relief we gave away 60,000 diapers in four days," Doug Adair said, the founder of Nashville Diaper Connection.
To say the nonprofit has been keeping busy would be an understatement. They are seeing record-breaking numbers of distribution.
Adair said since he started this initiative seven years ago, this is unlike anything he’s seen.
"We’ve gone from our previous average to 200,000 in March and then 215,000 in April and looks like we’ll do a quarter of a million in May," said Adair.
Nashville Diaper connection works through more than 30 partner agencies to provide diapers to those in need across Davidson County. Agencies that include Metro Nashville Public Schools and domestic abuse and homeless shelters. Adair says their goal is simple, “no child wet behind.”
"Diapers are expensive. They’re $1,000 per year per child," Adair said, "Think about that now if you’ve lost your job."
In the month of May alone, Adair says they will give away about $40,000 worth of diapers and they don’t see that need slowing down anytime soon.
This week the organization did reach a milestone of 3 million diapers distributed in Middle Tennessee since the organization was founded in 2013.
In order for this diaper bank to continue working, Adair says they need dollars, volunteers and diapers but since the COVID-19 pandemic, all three have been in short supply. If you want to donate money, click on their website. If you want to volunteer your time, visit the Hands On Nashville website.
