2021 Annual Report

Letter from the CEO

When I started the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) in 2011, I could not have imagined what we would achieve in 10 years as individuals, as a Network, and as a movement. Our journey has been challenging yet rewarding. Our achievements are quite simply remarkable.

2021 is our 10th anniversary. There will be no celebratory gatherings or fancy galas to mark the milestone. Rather we will continue to do what we do best … engage in real talk about real issues and get stuff done.

Too often we don’t make the time to reflect on what we’ve accomplished. There seems to always be a new project, a new opportunity ahead to which we devote our attention and expertise. In this year’s annual report, we provide a snapshot of key moments in our history and our efforts to end diaper need and period poverty in the U.S.

Our success is supported by countless individuals and organizations ranging from elected officials and public policy advocates to major international brands, including Huggies® and U by Kotex®, to our individual donors and foundations that provide financial support to make our work possible.

Then of course, there are our members … the nonprofit basic needs banks that work in communities across the country and serve as vital resources for individuals, children, and families who struggle to afford the material basic necessities they require to thrive.

Our work is possible only through the support and efforts of others.

Should you have questions about the work of NDBN and/or the Alliance for Period Supplies, I encourage you to contact me or a member of our amazing team.

I look forward to the next 10 years and a future when we as a nation make public policy choices that eliminate poverty and the need for our organizations to exist.

Joanne Samuel Goldblum

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

10 Years of Milestones

2011 – Founding NDBN

• National Diaper Band Network launches with the support of Founding Sponsor Huggies® on August 6, 2011.
• 35 member diaper banks make up the Network.
• Huggies commits to donating 20 million diapers annually to NDBN and its member diaper banks.
• The first federal bill to address diaper need is introduced by U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro.

2012 – Debuting National Events

• NDBN brings the Network together in Washington, D.C. for the first Diaper Banks in America Conference, (National) Diaper Need Awareness Week, and NDBN Lobby Day.

2013 – Leading Academic Research

• NDBN and Yale University School of Medicine conduct, and publish in PEDIATRICS, the first peer-reviewed study on diaper need and its impact on maternal mental health.

2014 – Examining Material Basic Needs

• NDBN introduces the Basic Needs Informed Curriculum to help professionals working with children and families to address poverty-related issues, including the basic needs gap.
• NDBN professional staff begin providing logistical support for the distribution of donated basic necessities, such as diapers and wipes.

2015 – Growing the Network

• NDBN leads the professionalization of diaper banks by introducing best practices, refining data collection, defining service areas, and offering expert technical assistance from national staff.
• Huggies and NDBN mark the distribution of more than 100 million donated diapers since the Network’s founding.

2016 – Recognizing Diaper Need

• As the foremost experts on diaper need, NDBN briefs The White House on diaper need in the U.S., leading to the first wholesale purchasing program exclusively for NDBN certified diaper banks.
• President Barack Obama talks diaper need at The SXSW Conference in Austin, Texas and encourages companies, nonprofits, and government to implement creative solutions to address the issue.

2017 – Expanding Partnerships

• NDBN leads disaster response efforts to get clean diapers to children and families impacted by hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria.
• NDBN partners with AWHONN (Association for Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses) for a national diaper drive led by nurses.
• The Impact of Diaper Need on U.S. Families study, by NDBN and Huggies, confirms 1 in 3 families with young children struggles to provide enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry, and healthy.

2018 – Introducing Initiatives

• Alliance for Period Supplies launches, with the support of Founding Sponsor U by Kotex®, to end period poverty in the U.S.
• NDBN debuts new logo and branding created by Landor Chicago.
• NDBN negotiates bulk purchasing programs exclusively for NDBN certified members.

2019 – Advocating for Change

• NDBN and Alliance for Period Supplies expand work with public officials to enact policies and legislation to end diaper need and period poverty.

2020 – Pivoting to Address Public Health

• The American Journal of Public Health identifies diaper need as a public health issue.
• COVID-19 prompts NDBN and member diaper banks to adapt and increase support for children and families throughout the pandemic.
• NDBN-member diaper banks report an 86% increase, on average, in the number of diapers distributed since the onset of the pandemic.
• Huggies donates 34.5 million diapers to NDBN, most ever in a single year.
• National media outlets turn to NDBN to understand unprecedented increase in families struggling with diaper need during the pandemic.

2021 — Growing Opportunities

• NDBN conducts the first National Diaper Bank Economic Impact Study to measure the economic effect across the U.S. of providing free diapers to families with young children.
• More than 300 basic needs banks are recognized members of NDBN and/or the Alliance for Period Supplies.
• The End Diaper Need Act of 2021 (S.304) is the first bipartisan bill in Congress to address diaper need.
• Louisiana becomes the 10th U.S. state to eliminate state sales tax on diapers.