Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank Responds to Spike in Need

Funded by Greater Cincinnati Foundation & United Way of Greater Cincinnati’s COVID-19 Regional Response Fund.

Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, Cincinnati’s only diaper bank serving the Tri-State area, usually distributes 180,000 diapers monthly to children in need. Due to family financial challenges amplified by the coronavirus pandemic, there has been a recent explosion of diaper requests from current local partner agencies, other nonprofits and individuals. Over the last month, Sweet Cheeks has more than doubled the amount of diapers they must purchase for immediate distribution, causing financial strain for the organization.

Record diaper shortages – brought on by panicked stockpiling, a disruption in diaper production and deliveries and combined with a sudden spike in diaper need – have required the small nonprofit to think creatively on how best to serve their community.

“The COVID-19 Regional Response Fund is a lifesaver,” said Megan Fischer, Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank CEO + Founder. “Diapers are needed now more than ever and are just as important to a child as toilet paper is for the rest of the family. With this funding, we’ll be able to serve an additional 900+ children on top of the 3,500 we already serve.”

Even before COVID-19, one in three U.S. families struggled to provide enough diapers to keep their children clean, dry and healthy. As more families experience financial hardships associated with the pandemic, Sweet Cheeks expects the demand for diapers to continue to rise.

“We’re extremely thankful for this support, as it will allow us to continue to operate and serve as many children as we can,” Fischer explained.