Two groups are collaborating to put on a diaper drive in October.  

The village of Oak Park and A House in Austin, a parent-child resource center on the West Side of Chicago, are collecting diapers all month to donate to local families in need. 

Those who are interested in donating can drop off items in the lobby of Oak Park’s Village Hall at 123 Madison St. on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Donations will be accepted through Oct. 31.  

Accepted items at the drive include packs of unopened diapers – size six diapers and pull-up diapers are most requested – and baby wipes. Locals who want to purchase items for the diaper drive can do so on an Amazon Wishlist. 

Diapers are a necessary part of protecting children from germs and keeping them clean and healthy. And many child care facilities require that children come in with diapers. 

But diapers are expensive. On average, a month of diapers costs about $80, according to a study published in 2020 by the National Diaper Bank Network.  

The study also reports that one in three families throughout the United States struggle to provide clean diapers. And many parents across Illinois and in Cook County experience the financial burden that can come with buying diapers.  

Over 439,000 kids in Illinois under the age of 3 need diapers, and 18% of them are a part of a family earning less than 100% of the federal poverty level, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.  

In February, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker announced birth equity and maternal health initiatives. Those included a $1 million pilot for a diaper distribution program, which would give an eCard diaper allowance to eligible families.  

“Diaper need is a public-health matter, and getting diapers to families raising infants while overcoming other economic challenges lends support in a meaningful way,” said Dulce Quintero, secretary designate for the Illinois Department of Human Services, in February at the governor’s announcement.  

“The Diaper Distribution Pilot Program will help families with young children with one less essential item to worry about as they strive to ensure good health, growth and development for their infants,” Quintero said.  

Donate to the diaper drive through Oct. 31 at 123 Madison St. on Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.