Franciscan Health says its Northern Indiana hospitals collected thousands of diapers to help families during its sixth-annual Diaper Drive. Franciscan Health Dyer, Munster, Hammond, Crown Point and Michigan City collected a total of 17,296 diapers throughout Diaper Insecurity Month in October. This was the first year the drive expanded to include other hospitals across the Franciscan Alliance system, and in total, 30,758 were collected, enough for nearly 350 families.
One of the drive’s goals was to help relieve the stress and financial strain of the silent crisis of diaper insecurity for families in need during the holiday season.“Providing clean and dry diapers to the littlest lives in our communities is a true testament to who our employees are and how they serve our ministry,” said Danielle Crowder, Franciscan Health community health improvement director. “I am grateful for their support and honored to serve alongside them.”
The donated diapers will support the Franciscan Health diaper pantries and will help serve families currently enrolled in the Prenatal Assistance Program, said Alexandra Grelecki, community health improvement coordinator-community paramedicine for Franciscan Health Crown Point.