Eastern Iowa Health Center and Young Parents Network
Partner with UnityPoint Health and Hy‐Vee Stores for Operation Diaper Drive
Collaboration to Benefit Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Eastern Iowa Health Center (EIHC), a comprehensive primary health care service provider in Eastern Iowa, and Young Parents Network (YPN), provider of programs and support for local young families, are partnering with UnityPoint Health – Cedar Rapids and local Hy-Vee stores to launch a community-wide initiative to provide donated diapers and diapers purchased with financial donations to the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank.
The goal is to collect an entire year’s supply of diapers for local families in need. Unity Point Health has committed to purchasing 50,000 diapers to get the program started. Hy-Vee Food Stores and Drugstores will be offering a collection campaign in all Cedar Rapids and Marion locations for Operation Diaper Drive from October 10 – 31, 2016. Collection bins will also be available at St. Luke’s Center for Women’s & Children’s Health and UnityPoint Clinic Pediatrics locations.
Diapers are a basic need for babies’ health and well-being, yet for many families, diapers are financially difficult; on average, a monthly supply of diapers can cost up to $80, and government assistance programs, such as the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) do not cover the cost of diapers, nor can diapers be purchased with food stamps.
Joe Lock, Eastern Iowa Health Center’s President & CEO, said many of their patients report that the cost of diapers is a hardship. “This is a natural extension of our comprehensive primary health care service,” said Lock. “Commitment to quality care for our patients includes addressing this basic well-being need that we see on a daily basis, and which affects some of the most vulnerable members of our community – babies and toddlers, and the families who love and care for them.”
Those interested helping to reach the Operation Diaper Drive goal of collecting one year’s supply of diapers for local families in need can donate disposable diapers and wipes at Hy-Vee Food and Drugstores in Marion and Cedar Rapids, UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital and UnityPoint Clinic – Pediatrics locations in Cedar Rapids and Hiawatha from October 10 – 31, 2016. All sizes, brands and even open/partial packages of diapers are welcome.
Lock said EIHC and YPN have pledged 100% of all donations collected will go directly to families in need. “We’re proud to be in collaboration with Young Parents Network in launching the Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank, and very grateful to UnityPoint Health and Hy-Vee for their partnership and generosity in support of Operation Diaper Drive,” said Lock.
About Eastern Iowa Health Center
Eastern Iowa Health Center is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center dedicated to providing quality Family Practice, OB/GYN and Pediatric services in eastern Iowa. It is a Level 3 Patient Centered Medical home offering comprehensive primary healthcare services to the community, regardless of ability to pay. For more information, please visit easterniowahealthcenter.com.
About Young Parents Network
Founded in 1985, Young Parents Network has taken on the a leadership role in East Central Iowa as the provider of ongoing comprehensive year round programs that allow the families to be involved until their child enters kindergarten. Young Parents Network programs focus on a range of areas that meet the most critical needs in our East Central Iowa community that nurture parents and children to support healthy family dynamics and positive futures. For more information, please visit youngparentsnetwork.org.
About Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank
Eastern Iowa Diaper Bank is a collaborative of Eastern Iowa Health Center and Young Parents Network. Please visit eidiaperbank.org.
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