“Nestlings has been such a huge help to me and Cairo,” the young mother says, looking at her son with a smile. Amber bounces her feisty one-year-old on her knee. Under dark brown hair his near-black eyes express curiosity. His fidgety legs show that he’s on the edge of taking his first step.
Her son has special dietary needs, and those supplies – like diapers – are not covered by or eligible for help through state or federal programs for low-income families. Both are very expensive for families like Amber’s with limited means. This makes diapers one of the most requested and un-met items on their needs list.
The Virginia transplant now living in Holland was thankful to find support through Community Action House. This is one place where Nestling diapers end up for moms like Amber to pick up weekly – for free – to keep kids like Cairo clean and dry.
“At $30 a box, I have no idea how we’d afford diapers plus Cairo’s special foods,” Amber says. “We would be really, really strapped without Nestlings help.”
Did you know that 1 in 2 families struggle to diaper their babies in the US? Nestlings is out to fix that by gathering donated and bulk purchased diapers made possible by donor support. We repackage and distribute diapers to 30+ partner organizations across the greater Ottawa County region, including Community Action House. The arrangement lets Nestlings focus on acquiring free and low-cost diapers, getting them out to nonprofits across the community, and allows groups like Community Action House focus on distributing them at no charge to those they support.
Every Saturday, Leila, with her three kids in tow, show up – just as Amber does – to pick up free diapers.
Between twin nine-month-olds, Rafael and Joseph, and determined two-year-old Donatello, Leila estimates they use over 4,500 diapers a year. At about $36 per package retail, buying these would cost her $1,152 a year.
“I could never afford that,” she admits. “Without Nestlings and Community Action House, I have no idea where I’d go for diapers. I am so grateful for Nestlings.”
Not long ago, a yellow envelope arrived at the Nestlings office. Thank you so much! a small colorful sticker on the back read. “Thank you for your help” the card inside read. Opening it revealed a handwritten note from Amber, signed with a heart and a smiley face: “Thank you for helping with diapers. It has really helped us a great deal!!”
It’s days like this that really remind us why this work matters. And why YOU matter to make a difference in the lives of families in need.
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