KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Happy Bottoms, a Kansas City diaper bank, hopes people will think about mothers in need this Mother’s Day before the nonprofit hits its slowest donation period of the year.
Elisa Brown has two children in diapers, including 1-year-old Edward, and receives diapers from Happy Bottoms to help her family. Before that, she faced tough choices.
“A couple of times, I had to actually push my bills back to be able to get diapers because I mean, a kid has to have diapers,” she said.
The mom doesn’t like asking for help but says, “I have to put my pride aside and worry about my child first.”
Jill Gaikowski started Happy Bottoms 10 years ago, and now the nonprofit gives out about 200,000 diapers every month through more than 40 local agencies.
The organization helps about 10,000 children a year, but Gaikowski believes they could be helping at least twice that many in Kansas City.
“It's fantastic that we are helping these families, but it hurts my heart that there are still so many moms who are struggling out there,” she said.
The Mid-America Regional Council said more than 20,000 children under age 5 live in poverty at or below 100 percent of the federal poverty level, according to 2017 census numbers.
Gaikowski hopes a campaign to “Make A Difference This Mother’s Day” will help Happy Bottoms before what is typically the slowest donation season.
“Summer is always the slowest, slowest time of year,” she said. “We have a saying: ‘Diaper need doesn’t take a summer break!'”
Gaikowski said that mothers will get a certificate from Happy Bottoms when donations are made in their honor.
You can find out more on how to donate or volunteer at the Happy Bottoms website.