Lisa Marie Explains Why The Diaper Drive at ELGA Credit Union is So Important Right Now

In Genesee County alone, 4,500 children under the age of three live below the poverty line. Let that sink in. Now imagine being a mother of one of those children and being unable to provide something as simple as diapers for your baby.

That's where the the Flint Diaper Bank and the annual Diaper Drive held at ELGA Credit Union comes into play. Each year, the event collects diapers and funds to make sure such a basic necessity is available for these mothers and their children.

Now more than ever these fundraising efforts are so important. If you wonder how your donation makes a difference just look around. With our current situation amid the coronavirus pandemic, our neighbors need our help more than ever. With people out of work and supplies at times limited, donations received are a true blessing.

I was honored to be part of the special event last year, and I can tell you first hand that the community really comes together. Working alongside ELGA volunteers, Michigan State Police, and ABC12, I was able to learn how the funds are used and their importance. Each dollar donated to the Flint Diaper Bank will turn into eight diapers. The nonprofit can purchase them below cost and put them in the hands of families in need.

The Diaper Drive is able to help mothers in our community. Unfortunately, state and federal assistance can’t be used to buy diapers. This means mothers are often forced to chooses between paying bills, buying food, and providing diapers for their child. That's a choice no mother should have to make.

Last year, the Diaper Drive reached a new high raising $137,197!  That was enough money for more than 1 million diapers, and I was thrilled to be working with ELGA Credit Union to make it happen.

This year the  Diaper Drive had to be postponed amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but organizers are looking forward to raising much needed funds on the new date in October.