September 24, 2024

Reps. Foncello & Bolinsky Host Successful Newtown Diaper Drive

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NEWTOWN- State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky (R-106) and Martin Foncello (R-107) hosted a successful Diaper Drive to help in-need neighbors in the greater Danbury region last week.

“What a wonderful response from the Newtown Community, thank you! Diapers are not a luxury item for families; they are an essential part of the health and well-being of infants and toddlers,” said Rep. Bolinsky. “I have heard too many stories about the high cost of diapers. Parents should not have to be left to choose between this and other necessities.”

“After learning about a program at The Community Action Agency of Western CT, I wanted to help out. They had to scale it back as funding dried up, but through the generosity of our community we’re able to bolster this program for their clients with newborns, said Rep. Foncello. “I am very appreciative of everyone’s support, not only at the Newtown collection, but at events hosted in Brookfield and Bethel Big Y stores last month for this program.”

The Newtown duo, Bolinsky and Foncello, collected just under 1600 diapers in a two-hour diaper drive at the Newtown Big Y on Friday afternoon. The diapers were divided and delivered to Newtown’s FAITH Food Pantry, and the Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut, which is in Danbury and serves twenty-five towns and 20,000 people in the region.

Diapers are an expensive, but essential baby product, and unfortunately, they are not covered by Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.

The Newtown State Representatives asked town residents for help by donating an unopened package or two of diapers for babies and their mothers who might be in-need.

On average, a newborn will use more than 2,700 diapers in the first year alone, which can add up to more than $550 (based on an average price of $0.20 per disposable diaper). While diapers are expensive for any family, it is particularly burdensome for low-income families. At present, safety-net programs such as the Food Stamp Program and WIC (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children) do not cover the cost of diapers.