Priority Health Donates Thousands of Diapers to Families Across Southwest Michigan

Families hit with financial strain due to the coronavirus pandemic may soon be able to take diapers off their list of weekly expenses.

Thousands of children’s diapers are being donated to Southwest Michigan families as a result of a partnership between Priority Health, Battle Creek Family YMCA, Battle Creek Diaper Initiative and St. Luke’s Diaper Bank in Kalamazoo, according to a news release. Diaper distribution will take place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and the Douglass Community Association as well, the release said.

On Tuesday, Priority Health announced it will donate 100,000 diapers through the summer to support families affected by economic fallout as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the release, the nearly $40,000 donation from Priority Health helps fund supplies for diaper drives hosted by the organizations during the summer months.

The state of Michigan is among six states that have lost more than 1 million jobs. Its unemployment rate during the month of May remains above 21% — higher than every state except Hawaii and Nevada.

“Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen an increased need for diapers among the families we serve,” Battle Creek Family YMCA CEO Jill Hinde said. “There are many parents who lack the necessary resources to purchase diapers and are forced to make heartbreaking decisions about basic necessities. We are thankful for organizations like Priority Health who step in and support our work in the community.”

This article was originally featured in MLive, read more here.