Tending to Basic Needs in Skagit County

Majestic mountains overlook a fertile valley boasting a variety of agricultural crops. A powerful river flows westward towards beautiful islands and world-famous tulip fields blanket the valley in the spring.

This is the picture that those living in Skagit County, Washington, experience in their backyard. But, hidden beneath the beauty is a story of difficulty and poverty.

Two-thirds of the families living in Skagit County reported struggling with basic needs last year, according to Calista Scott of the Diaper Bank of Skagit County. A survey of the area reported 41% of households with income less than $40,000 and 68% of households saying they were unable to meet basic needs at some point in the last year.

“(This) begins to show that income alone does not necessarily portray the whole picture of economic stability,” Calista said.

Like Jake’s Diapers, the Diaper Bank of Skagit County has recognized diapers as a basic need that those living in poverty need help to afford.

“An awakening to diaper need occurred when we noticed mothers looking for diapers at  community food banks,” Calista said. “In January 2016, we began collecting and donating diapers to a WIC agency in our community. In January 2018, we became a member of the National Diaper Bank Network and a nonprofit organization.”

The Diaper Bank of Skagit County is now also one of Jake’s Diapers Diaper Drop partners.

“We are on a mission to let the world know that diapers are a basic human need and improve the health of children and families,” Calista said. “I believe having a cloth diaper program that our Diaper Bank could promote would be wonderful for our community, by bringing mothers together to help one another and improve health and happiness.”

About Our Diaper Drop Partners

The Diaper Bank of Skagit County is just one of our many Diaper Drop partners Jake’s Diapers features regularly to shed light on the stories of the people we serve in order to increase awareness about the impact a donation of hygiene products can have on a single individual.

Make your impact today! A donation of $16 solves diaper need for moms and babies like the ones in our story.