RAPID CITY, SD – The community diaper drive during Diaper Awareness Week exceeded expectations with more than 35,000 diapers,10,000 wipes, and $3,300 cash being collected.

The collections benefit Mommy’s Closet, which serves as a continuous collection point for diaper donations throughout the year and is designated as one of two diaper banks in South Dakota.

“What you see right here is evidence of the greatness of your community,” Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun said.

The diaper drive is an annual effort undertaken by Volunteers of America Northern Rockies (VOA). Last September, more than 10,400 diapers and nearly 7,250 wipes were donated by residents during the community drive. Monetary donations provided by the public totaled $2,500.  

The collection this year exceeded past drives as well as expectations.

“Way to go, Rapid City,” VOA Director of Development Kelly Folsom said. “You overperformed as usual.”

Mommy’s Closet has been operating since 2008, and this marked the tenth year the City of Rapid City has participated in the diaper drive with several drop off locations in an effort to address the diaper need in the community.

The average child will use approximately 2,500 to 3,000 diapers in their first year and more than 7,000 diapers before they are potty trained.  The average infant requires about eight diaper changes per day during the first two years of life.

For many families, the cost of diapers can be as much as $80-$100 per month per child, especially impacting low-income families who cannot buy diapers with food stamps or WIC vouchers.  Three in five parents miss school or work because they cannot afford diapers.