By Sherri Coner
Everyone knows that diapers are a necessity for babies.
But everyone doesn’t know that one in five Hoosier families with babies and toddlers must often choose between buying diapers or food.
Six of the 15 members of Girl Scout Troop 4800 in Center Grove are working to reduce diaper needs in Indiana while also earning the Bronze Award, the highest award for junior Girl Scouts.
Helping animals are often popular Girl Scout project choices.
But when Troop Leader Emily Myers’ daughter, Maple Myers, 11, a fifth grader at North Grove Elementary, asked her mom if their troop could find a project for families, this dedicated troop leader discovered the Indiana Diaper Bank in Indianapolis. She then arranged for the girls to tour the facility.
Immediately, Troop 4800 committed to help babies, toddlers and their families.
While Maple Myers and other members of Troop 4800 recently stacked Girl Scout cookie choices on a table, outside of a Greenwood restaurant, she said, “Food stamps don’t cover diapers.”
“If a family doesn’t have diapers for their baby, the baby can’t go to daycare because parents have to bring their baby’s diapers. So that means the parents have to miss work,” said Nicole Strack, 10, a fifth grade student at Greenwood Christian School.
Karter Nelson, Annabel Kelly, Harper
Matthews and Maple Myers. (Submitted photo)
“Diapers might be small, but they are a big need,” said Annabel Kelly, 10, a fifth grader at North Grove Elementary School.
When these busy Girl Scouts aren’t selling cookies at various community locations, they grab colored markers to prepare for another project.
“We’re making posters to put on bulletin boards, to get the word out,” Maple Myers said.
“We are also collecting money for diapers,” said Anna Key, 10, a fifth grader at North Grove Elementary School.
The average monthly cost to supply diapers for one child is $80, and the diaper bank currently provides families with nearly 2,000 diapers each month.
While helping cookie lovers choose their favorite treats, troop members also inform customers about their diaper drive, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 11 at Orchard Golf Center, 251 IN 135 in Greenwood.
“Our goal is to collect 4800 diapers,” said Harper Matthews, 10, a fifth grader at North Grove Elementary School. “That’s our troop number.”
Diaper Drive
March 11, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Orchard Golf Center
251 IN 135, Greenwood
