Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud, chair of the New York State Senate Social Services Committee, and Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages, chair of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus, joined members of the National Diaper Bank Network on Tuesday in calling for $2 million to be included in the State Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget for New York State diaper banks.
Persaud, the Guyanese-born representative for the 19th Senate District in Brooklyn, said Diaper banks serve communities by supplying essential infant health products at no cost to New York families in need.
Tuesday’s press conference took place as New York State members of the National Diaper Bank Network convened in Albany for their annual Capitol Advocacy Day, where they met with legislators representing communities across the state.
New York diaper banks include: The Queens Diaper Bank at Public Health Solutions (Queens); Moms for Moms, NYC (Brooklyn); Little Essentials (Brooklyn); Expecting Relief (Brooklyn); The HopeLine (Bronx); Her Village, Inc. (Bronx); NYC Mammas Give Back Inc. (Manhattan); GOOD+ Foundation (Manhattan); The Allied Foundation (Nassau County); Baby Steps Baby Pantry (Newburgh); Twin Tier Baby Bank (Painted Post); The Food Pantries (Albany); Central New York Diaper Bank, Inc. (Syracuse); Junior League of Rochester Diaper Bank (Rochester); Every Bottom Covered (Buffalo); (914) Cares (Armonk) and the Junior League of Central Westchester (Scarsdale).
“Diaper banks are essential lifelines for families in need, yet the fight to ensure that they stay funded is far from over,” Persaud said. “We must continue to push for the resources necessary to provide every child with a clean diaper every day.”
“No child should have to sit in a dirty diaper — and it’s our responsibility to make sure every family has the support they need,” she added. “I remain deeply committed to advocating for diaper bank funding because these programs shape the future of countless children, helping them grow up in a state that truly cares for their well-being.”
“As the cost of living rises and the price of diapers continues to increase, we must take action to help families across New York,” said Assembly Member Solages, the Haitian-American representative for District 22 in Nassau County, Long Is. “The prohibitive cost of diapers directly threatens the wellbeing of young children.
“Soiled diapers can cause rashes and infections, and if clean diapers are not widely accessible, families will be faced with difficult decisions about the health of their children,” he added. “For this reason, Senator Persaud and I are advocating for the inclusion of $2 million in the FY25-26 state budget to bolster the capacity of 17 local and regional diaper banks across New York State.”
“Research shows that 1 in 2 US families with young children struggle to afford diapers, and the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) and our member basic needs banks in New York are committed to ending diaper need, a growing public health issue,” said Lacey Gero, director of government relations, NDBN. “We commend Sen. Persaud, Assemblymember Solages and Assemblymember Sayegh for their unwavering dedication to supporting children, families, and diaper banks across New York state.
“Investing in community-based diaper distribution programs improves the lives of children, families, and communities,” she added. “As the number of working families struggling to afford material basic needs continues to rise, it’s imperative that this crucial state funding be expanded so that New York’s diaper banks can provide the essential help families require to thrive.”
“Diaper need is a community-wide challenge that transcends politics and affects the well-being of families across Western New York,” said Raziya Hill, founder and executive director of Every Bottom Covered, Inc. “While the insights from the National Diaper Bank Network are not new, they are continually validated through ongoing research, reminding us of the persistent hurdles families face.
“This knowledge drives us to develop innovative, sustainable solutions to support families and build healthier, more equitable communities,” Hill added. “Crucially, government funding enables diaper banks to provide a vital service — ensuring families can meet their babies’ basic needs, which in turn strengthens our entire community.”
“There is a Maternal Health crisis in the United States,” said Vanessa Bracetty-Ormsby, founder and executive director of Expecting Relief. “As a NYS diaper bank, collectively our line of work is to improve public health. By providing diapers we are reducing financial instability and limiting opportunities for upward flexibility.
“Diaper need affects not only the well-being of infants and toddlers but also the financial and emotional health of their families,” she added. “Addressing this issue is critical to breaking cycles of poverty and improving health outcomes for children. With continuous state funding support we are able to improve child and family health, support economic stability, and address a critical gap in the social safety net.”
“Thanks to support from the New York State legislature, and the leadership of Sen. Persaud and Assemblywoman Solages, the Queens Diaper Bank has distributed more than 1 million diapers to over 12,000 children in Queens.” Camille Tinder, director, Maternal Child Health Services with Queens Diaper Bank and Public Health Solutions.
“While these numbers are impressive, we have only been able to provide diapers to 3 per cent of babies from low-income Queens families,” she added. “With continued support from the State of New York, we will be able to grow our reach and support families to thrive. Investing in diapers not only reduces health care costs for families and for the state; it is an investment in the health and well-being of New York’s children and families.”
