After nearly three years in its current location and over one million diapers distributed throughout Weld County, United Way of Weld County’s Covering Weld Diaper Bank is seeking a new location.
Established in 2020 with pandemic-related resources and now supported with State of Colorado, foundation and individual donor funds, the Covering Weld Diaper Bank provides diapers, wipes, rash cream and other supplies to 15 member organizations in various parts of the county that then meet diaper need. Functioning much like a food bank, without such a diaper bank young child and caregiver physical and mental health would suffer.
“Beginning in summer 2021, Richmark Companies allowed United Way staff free use of a building in downtown Greeley for diaper bank activities,” shared Amelia Ritchhart, family support coordinator at United Way. “I am so thankful to Richmark for this, as are the children and their grown-ups.”
“Now we are looking for a different space that will serve diaper need just as well as what we are currently using,” added Ritchhart. “We have money to pay for rent, but will likely need some amount of in-kind donation to get the right location.”
A 3,500-5,000 square foot building or part of a structure is needed, with all of this on one floor. The Covering Weld Diaper Bank mobilizes many volunteers, and so the location needs to be heated and have a restroom.
As the diaper bank buys in bulk at a discount from national suppliers, the building should have a loading dock-like area that can accommodate semi-tractor truck deliveries. The location could be in a warehouse or similar area in or near Evans, Greeley, Windsor, La Salle, Eaton, Johnstown, or Milliken.
“Throughout the county at all of our locations, every month we have families that need the diapers just to get by, financially and emotionally,” noted Carolyn Valencia, librarian with High Plains Library District. “Plus, our parents and caregivers getting diapers helps them to stay in the workforce, as many child care providers can’t accept our youngest children unless the parents provide the diapers.”
In addition to High Plains Library District, other diaper bank members and distributors include Aims Community College, Immigrant and Refugee Center of Northern Colorado, Weld County WIC, and Weld County Department of Human Services.
If you know of a likely space or have a location available to be the new Covering Weld Diaper Bank home, please contact Lyle SmithGraybeal at Lyle@UnitedWay-Weld.org or 970-304-6163.
