KDKA-TV's Talk Pittsburgh team collects diapers, feminine hygiene products during first-ever diaper drive
Many families across Western Pennsylvania are struggling with basic needs. That's when the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank jumps to help with baby diapers, wipes, adult briefs, period products and hygiene products.
The Talk Pittsburgh family wanted to support the cause. So, on a rainy, chilly Saturday, April 26, they gathered for the first-ever Talk Pittsburgh Diaper Drive at the Walmart in Cranberry Township.
The struggle for families
"People who are struggling with all the prices going up and everything, it's really needed," Kara Patrick said.
She and others know how expensive diapers can be. But they also know the power of community.
KDKA-TV's Heather Abraham has seen it before. She once asked for, and received, droves of diapers for her birthday.
"And I thought, if we could do this with a small gathering of people, imagine what we could do if we had KDKA country behind us," Abraham, co-host of Talk Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Today Live, said.
So the talk team found an organization to amplify that outreach.
"We started out in 2012 – handing out diapers to families in need," Cathy Battle, Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank executive director and co-founder, said.
And 13 years later, Battle and her husband continue that mission.
"One in two families in our community struggle to provide diapers for their babies," she said.
And, wow, did Pittsburghers deliver.
The numbers are in!
The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank tallied the donations and here are the results.
- Baby Diapers- 7,921
- Baby Wipes- 3,282
- Period Products - 1,064
- Adult Briefs/Bed pads- 1,579
All around the diaper drive was a "huge success," said Battle,
If you didn't get a chance to donate on Saturday, you can donate on the diaper bank's website. You can also go to its warehouse in Point Breeze.
