West Plains, MO. – The Diaper Resource Center (DRC) is hoping to receive some much needed help on this upcoming Giving Tuesday on November 28, 2023.
The Diaper Resource Center was organized in early 2015. Simply stated – DRC gathers and distributes disposable and cloth diapers to eight Howell County nonprofits who in turn distribute to individuals, all free of charge. Some of the distributing agencies cover a 7-8 county region.
The basic mission – to eliminate “diaper need” in our community. What is Diaper Need? One in three families struggle to provide enough diapers each day to keep their babies clean and dry. There are currently no federal or state programs which assist with the purchase of diapers. There are many circumstances which can create diaper need, and whatever those circumstances are, they don’t erase the fact that babies need clean and dry bottoms to stay healthy and happy.
Over the years DRC has been blessed with diaper donations from various individuals and organizations. The MSU-WP Grizzlies have hosted DRC benefit games; Billy Sexton helped with a “pie auction” during our Tea for Two benefit; several churches, banks and individuals have conducted diaper drives; Ozark Marketing chose DRC for their beneficiary of the 2022 ORN Cares golf tournament; we’ve received support along the way from Community Foundation of the Ozarks and as a member of the Community Interagency Council. A 2022 donation from the military after the Afghan resettlement efforts was a huge benefit to our inventory.
Diaper Bank of the Ozarks (DBO) also donates a portion of our annual needs – needs which now are triple what they were pre-COVID, with signs that will only increase.
Because of increased needs and the goal that DRC can continue in a sustainable manner in the future, the group hopes for continued community support on Giving Tuesday, November 28, 2023, and beyond. Diaper Resource Center-West Plains is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization. Donations can be made through PayPal to diaperresourcecenter@gmail.com.
Current distributing agencies include His Place House of Worship Diaper Ministry, Martha Vance Samaritan Outreach Center, and Christos House. Clients are also served through the Howell County Health Department, 37th Division Childrens Services, Ozark Action Early Head Start, Pregnancy Resource Center, and the Chaos Closet.
Donations of disposable diapers can be dropped off at Ozark Action Inc. (OAI), 710 E. Main St., West Plains, MO 65775. OAI provides DRC with warehouse space for diapers. Diapers can be left at OAI, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Mondays through Thursdays, all year long. Diaper Resource Center-West Plains is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization.
Area churches, businesses, organizations, or individuals who wish to contribute (perhaps though monthly commitments) toward addressing diaper need in our area may inquire via email: diaperresourcecenter@gmail.com, by phone to 417-256-6147, or by mail at P O Box 1773, West Plains, MO 65775. Presentations are available for groups on request. Check our Facebook page under Diaper-Resource-Center-West-Plains for updates. Any Howell County group wishing to apply as a distributing agency should email or phone for an application.
