EMERGENCY & Disaster Relief FAQs
COVID-19 Response and Relief:
Miami Diaper Bank is working hard to deploy large quantities of diapers into our community and get them to babies and families who need them most. While these times are uncertain, we are committed to doing everything possible to work alongside our partner agencies who are on the front lines getting much needed essentials and supplies to families in need.
While the current situation may be unprecedented, our team is skilled in emergency response and we work with incredible partner agencies who always go the extra mile. We all share one common goal: to serve as many children and families in need as possible.
In times of crisis, emergencies and natural disasters, we request that our supporters contribute funds to allow us to serve our community as efficiently and effectively as possible.
With the funds we collect, we are able to purchase large quantities of diapers at a discounted rate and ship them directly to our partner agencies across South Florida. This allows diapers to get in the hands of families in need much faster, as our team does not have to receive, count, sort, organize and then deliver the diapers to our partner agencies. They are delivered to them directly.
In light of COVID-19 and the importance of the safety and health of our staff, volunteers, partners and families we serve, we are trying to minimize logistics as much as possible. We will be managing the diaper donation and distribution process remotely and shipping diapers directly to our partner agencies to ensure there is the least amount of people involved in the distribution process as possible.
Please consider helping our mission of supporting children and families in times of need and crisis. Many of the families we serve already struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis, and having to choose between diapers and food for their babies is an issue they face often. The COVID-19 crisis and its affect on lives, jobs and resources has amplified the situation and increased the need for our services in the community.
Miami Diaper Bank is a safety net for struggling families and disadvantaged babies who deserve clean diapers. Your donation will go towards us purchasing, transporting and distributing diapers and baby essentials to the children and families whose lives are impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and need our support now more than ever.
Please refer to more FAQs below to understand Miami Diaper Bank’s commitment to supporting South Florida families in need during emergencies, natural disasters and throughout the recovery process.
How does Miami Diaper Bank help families affected by a natural disaster or emergency?
Miami Diaper Bank provides families with diapers, wipes, and other baby essentials who are affected by natural disasters and emergencies based on the funds and resources available to our organization. We collaborate with partner agencies, evacuation shelters and other nonprofits who are providing disaster and emergency relief services to ensure we are reaching families efficiently and effectively. Miami Diaper Bank also supports families throughout the recovery process as families need the extra support while they rebuild their lives and get back on their feet.
Does the Miami Diaper Bank only help families in Miami?
No. We provide assistance to families across South Florida in 6 counties: Miami-Date, Broward, Monroe, Lee, Collier, and Palm Beach.
What type of donations are you currently accepting?
Miami Diaper Bank has a dedicated Disaster Relief Fund and accepts year-round monetary donations through our website donation page. Monetary donations help during times of crises as Miami Diaper Bank has access to diapers and wipes at a special discounted rate through our membership with the National Diaper Bank Network and wholesalers so your donation goes the extra mile.
Are you accepting diaper donation shipments?
During Crisis Response we have limited capacity to receive physical items and effectively distribute them in hard to reach areas of disaster. Each disaster is different so please reach out to us to find out more. Our goal is to help families as quickly and efficiently as possible and utilize monetary donations to purchase discounted diapers and wipes and ship them directly to designated locations throughout South Florida.
You can also send donation directly through our amazon wishlist located HERE.
Where does my donation go?
Donations made to our Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund go towards helping families affected by emergencies, hurricanes and other natural disasters. We are committed to supporting families throughout the recovery process and donations made towards emergency and disaster relief also go towards post-recovery efforts to support families rebuild their lives.
Can I donate online?
Yes! Please visit our website donation page to make a donation.
Do you donate to individuals?
No. We donate diapers to community parters and third party nonprofits/agencies who serve and provide services to children and families in crisis.
During critical crisis like COVID-19, Miami Diaper Bank activates emergency pop-up distribution hubs throughout affected areas to better serve communities highly affected during this crisis and reach families where they are.
How do I organize and host a diaper drive?
Our Amazon Wishlist is the easiest way to coordinate diaper donations on our behalf, especially from out of state. If you would like to organize a diaper drive and collect physical donations, please contact us so we can provide you with the best location for you to send the diapers. CONTACT EMAIL: Diapers@miamidiaperbank.com
Where do I send cash/check donations?
Please make checks payable to MIAMI DIAPER BANK and send them to:
Miami Diaper Bank
4770 Biscayne Blvd Suite 980
Miami, Florida 33137
Currently, we do not take credit card by phone donations, but the easiest and quickest way to donate to Miami Diaper Bank is online.
If you do send a check, please make sure to include your contact information so we can send you a tax donation receipt before the end of the calendar year.
I'm having trouble with the website, who do I contact?
Sorry about that! Please email us at info@miamidiaperbank.com.
Will you be updating us on your donation efforts?
Yes! Our main focus is being able to provide diapers, wipes, and baby essentials to families and babies in need during times of crisis but please check our social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook for updates along the way.
Previous Disaster Relief Efforts
Hurricane Irma:
We expanded our service area to reach families in Collier, Lee, Palm Beach and Monroe Counties.
Total Diapers Donated: 1,182,660
Total Disaster Relief Partners: 26 total partners
Relief Effort Time Period: 9/14/17 - 9/18/18
Donated diapers to 25 Early Learning Coalition daycares in Miami for 3 months post hurricane.
Hurricane Michael (Florida Panhandle):
Diapers Distributed: 80,344
Wipes Distributed: 40,000
Pulls Ups Distributed: 12,818
Children served: 4,661
Total Partners: 4
Hurricane Maria (Puerto Rico):
Diapers Distributed: 16,000 diapers
Partners: University of Miami's School of Medicine and Holtz Children's Hospital pediatric team.
Hurricane Dorian (Bahamas and South Florida):
Diapers Distributed: 153,374
Wipes Distributed: 56,000
Children Served: 3,067
Total Partners: 7 - Bahamas Relief Cruise, Head Knowles, West Palm Beach Student Welcome Center, Bahamas Strong, Friends for Global Change, Grand Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, GB Disaster Relief.
Hurricane Ian (West Coast Florida):
Diapers Distributed: 121,425
Wipes Distributed: 368,640
Children Served: 2,429
Total Partners: 5 - Early Steps Southwest, Healthy Start Southwest Florida, Salvation Army, Better Help, Midwest Food Bank
Disaster Relief Angels
Thank you so much to our 2019 Disaster Relief Angels who make it possible for us to have funds available to provide diapers to families in need before, during and after a natural disaster hits South Florida.
Deborah Jackson Weiss
Penelope Canario
George Santore
Julie Silber
Barbara Hanselman