Milwaukee Diaper Mission highlights helpers during National Volunteer Week
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- During National Volunteer Week, many hometown organizations are highlighting the importance of helping hands. Milwaukee Diaper Mission says volunteers continue to help bridge the gap of diaper need across the city.
In April alone, Milwaukee Diaper Mission has already distributed more than 70,000 diapers to families in need. That's made possible by volunteers who help sort, pack, and get boxes out the door each week.
"Every donation that comes in gets packaged up and right back out to our community, so its super important to have all hands helping us achieve the goal of providing basic needs to our community members," said Nicole Dachs, a weekly volunteer.
Helping hands have grown here over the years. "When we launched in 2020, it was the middle of the pandemic, so we did not have volunteers to lean on to get product out the door to families," said Meagan Johnson, Founder & Executive Director.
Now, hundreds of volunteers come through Milwaukee Diaper Mission each year, helping to streamline the distribution process.
Schools, churches, and businesses send volunteer groups on a regular basis to help out. Johnson says volunteers have been a crucial piece to addressing diaper need, a need that continues to grow.
"47 percent of families in the United States don't have enough diapers to keep their baby clean and dry. We know that's true here in Milwaukee as well," said Johnson.
Anna Jansson is another weekly volunteer. "As a mom of three, I just can't imagine being in a position where you're rationing diapers and you're waiting on the next paycheck to come so that you can go out and buy diapers," said Jansson.
With three years under its belt and nearly $2 million total diapers distributed, Milwaukee Diaper Mission is preparing to release a short documentary called "Why We're Here."
The film showcases the journey of Milwaukee's first diaper bank and the community impact.
The documentary will premiere during a special event Thursday at 5:30 at Turner Hall Ballroom. The film screening will be followed by a special panel discussion moderated by CBS 58'S Tajma Hall.
Click here for ticket information.