Hope Winter is a reporter and multimedia journalist who has been part of the News 4 team since 2021. See more of her work here.
Donations open for 3rd annual "WNY For Hope" diaper and hygiene drive
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- When tragedy struck the Tops on the Eastside of Buffalo on May 14 nearly two years ago, Hope Rises, Highmark and Delta Sonic wanted to help the community in some way.
They started collecting diapers for "every bottom covered", the first and only diaper bank in our area that helps families with diaper insecurity throughout five counties. It's a need, they say, that can often be overlooked.
"We know about food insecurity, we talk about that through food banks but diaper banks are for very similar purposes only our purpose is to address basic hygiene needs," said Raziya Hill, founder of Every Bottom Covered Inc. "We understand that here locally, 40% of people live in poverty, that's almost half of our community that is going without adequate needs."
"We needed to address immediate needs," said Vice President at Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Michael Ball. "Diapers are a basic need, kids need them every day to stay healthy and happy but needs continue to persist."
The first year they collected enough to service 500 families out of the 750 families they service a month.
"If you go to the warehouse and you see how much you collect, you think it's going to last forever and it's only a couple months," explained Marketing Director at Delta Sonic, Kim Allen.
The "WNY for Hope Drive" continues to collect diapers, but now also essential hygiene products, like soap, shampoo, socks and more that can help support an organization called Home Beneath our Feet, which works with underserved youth on the East Side.
"It's all about commodity and community unity," said Dwight Lowe, founder and executive director of Home Beneath our Feet. "No one can get through this thing themselves. It's all about coming together as one and working together."
You can find these bins at Delta Sonic, AAA, Seneca One, Mental Health Advocates of WNY and Epic Church from now until May 15. Diapers, wipes, feminine and personal hygiene products will be accepted.
Every donation goes directly towards helping our neighbors in need.