Gem City Gives Corporation

Our Mission:  To promote the health & well-being of babies by providing diapers to families in need and to bring awareness of the need to the Greater Dayton area.

Our Vision:  To grow as a community resource by assisting families with disposable diapers and wipes (if available) to the Greater Dayton area.  

The Issue:  Gem City Gives (GCG) goal is to “end diaper need” in the Greater Dayton area.  Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant/toddler clean dry and healthy.  

22% of all children under 5 in the U.S. live in poverty and 1 out of every 3 families struggles to afford diapers, which cost from $70 - $80 per month per child. Low income families often have to decide between food, utilities, or diapers.  Diaper can’t be purchased with food stamps and are not available through WIC.   When families run short of diapers, they may spend extended periods of time in dirty diapers, which can lead to sever diaper rash, staph and/or urinary infections.  The inability of provide enough clean diapers for children can also lead to emotional stress in parents, and to a child’s learning delay, according to a 2010 study by the National Diaper Bank Network and the brand Huggies. 

Clients receive from 40-50 diapers per month per child. However, due to the COVID-19 outbreak we are distributing diapers every other month with a double order to limit risk.

The impact of our program:   When children’s basic needs are met, the clients have the peace of mind to concentrate on taking full advantage of parenting, education, job training, and life skills to improve their quality of life. The diaper program we offer allows babies the opportunity to have a stronger healthier future by having their basic needs met.

UnderCare Project:   Early this year, GCG began a new project entitles:  The UnderCare Project.  The project was formed when GCG learned the children were attending school without socks and underwear.  For this reason, the organization decided to extend its diaper program to our former and past client or any individual in need of undergarments and socks for their child/children.  The UnderCare Project allows individuals to volunteer to repackage diapers for GCG and earning points to purchase 1 pack of underwear, 1 pack of t-shirts, and 1 pack of socks.  Although we began this project, the organization had to stop it due to COVID-19.   We hope to presume the project when the pandemic passes.

Target Population:   The target population are babies from age newborn to 3 ½ years old regardless of race/ethnicity. Families of children with disabilities are on the diaper program as long as services are required.  

Criteria:  To be on the diaper program families must  be on WIC, public assistance, or low income.   

Ongoing Activity:  Every year, GCG plans to have diapers drives conducted by local churches, business, or individuals, which are an essential part of helping our program and is vital to sustaining an adequate inventory.   Fundraising is a schedule event to distribute information regarding diaper need and soliciting donations to help support our mission.  This year because of the COVID-19 outbreak we are unable to be involved in activities or fundraising.

Project Evaluation:   The expected results during the funding period is to increase the number of diaper distribution for the year 2020.   To be part of the diaper program, clients are required to complete a survey at the end of each year to measure the impact that diaper provision has on families in receipt of diapers.  The survey is based on the “Likert” scale.   The client evaluations for the year 2019 were favorable.