By Tyler Wright
The Patch Store is currently welcoming nappy donations as part of the annual campaign run by The Nappy Collective to distribute disposable sanitary items to families in crisis.
The campaign launched on Monday 18 July and the general store has already received a box full of donations with seven nappy packets joined by some loose items.
“We have had community members head to the shops after seeing our box for collection and purchase nappies to donate and have also had local parents donating nappies their kids no longer fit or have use for,” The Patch Store team member Romy Schauble said.
“As a drop in place for many members of our community it is a perfect place to have set up as a collection point during the July Nappy Collective Campaign to support families in need,” Ms Schauble said.
According to The Nappy Collective, 1 in 10 families in Australia can not afford the nappies they need for their babies.
Without access to nappies, children may be left in existing underwear for too long; causing distress, discomfort and infections.
And with the rising cost of living, The Nappy Collective said the problem is set to get worse.
“A lack of access to clean nappies may be due to issues of financial hardship, homelessness or escaping domestic violence, or those impacted by natural disasters, such as the recent flooding we have seen in New South Wales and Queensland,” CEO of The Nappy Collective Sarah Witty said.
“Every child deserves a clean, healthy, and stable start to their day with a clean nappy.”
The Nappy Collective’s goal to provide 1 million nappies to children and families experiencing ‘nappy stress’ across Australia as a result of the campaign.
Some of the 230 drop off points across Victoria include selected ANZ bank branches, Ripe Maternity clothing stores, dozens of early childcare education and maternal health centres.
The following donations are being accepted:
– Newly purchased disposable nappies
– Leftover, opened packets of disposable nappies that are no longer needed — such as when a child outgrows their nappy size
– Disposable swim nappies
– Nappy pants
For the full list of collection points, visit https://www.thenappycollective.com/nappy-collection-points
If you can not find a drop-off point in your area or would prefer to donate virtually, visit https://thenappycollective.raisely.com/donate
The Patch Store will be collecting donations until Friday 5 August.
The Patch Store is located at 16 The Patch Rd, The Patch VIC 3792.
