Events
Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive
If you are struggling to put food on the table, the cost of diapers can easily break your budget.
Bare Bottom Diaper Drive
Providing for your baby shouldn’t be a struggle.
The Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive was started when passionate volunteer Kristina Prins discovered that there was a connection between diaper need and food insecure families. Started in 2013, this campaign not only collects over 130,000 diapers annually but generates important awareness around the issue of diaper need in our city. The Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive runs all year long with a blitz month in May.
A baby uses on average eight diapers a day which adds up to more than 2,800 diapers a year. They are expensive, with the cost of diapers for one year averaging at $850 – the equivalent to a month of groceries for a family of four.
If you are already struggling to put food on the table, imagine what the cost of diapers will do to your budget. That is why some families cut back on essentials, like food, utilities, and medicine in order to afford enough diapers for their children. This adds tension to the already difficult task of parenting and a baby’s emotional and physical health can suffer when exposed to stressful environments for long periods of time.
be part of the change
How you can help
Designate your funds
Designate your donation to the purchase of diapers in the months to come.
Donate Diapers
Donate opened or unopened packages of diapers at one of the drop-off locations.
Drop-off locations
Calgary Food Bank
5000 – 11 Street SE
| Daytime hours | Evening hours | |
| Monday | 1 – 3:30 p.m. | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
| Wednesday | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
| Thursday | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. |
| Friday | 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. |
AHS – Thornhill Community Health Centre
6617 Centre St NW
AHS – Northwest Community Health Centre
109, 1829 Ranchlands Blvd. NW
AHS – Acadia Community Health Centre
132, 151 86 Ave SE
AHS – East Community Health Centre
4715 8 Ave SE
AHS – South Community Health Centre
31 Sunpark Plaza SE, 2nd Floor
Alberta Health Services Centres
Thornhill Community Health Centre
6617 Centre St NW
Northwest Community Health Centre
109, 1829 Ranchlands Blvd. NW
Acadia Community Health Centre
132, 151 86 Ave SE
East Community Health Centre
4715 8 Ave SE
South Community Health Centre
31 Sunpark Plaza SE, 2nd Floor
Calgary Food Bank
5000 11 Street SE
Did You know?
2018 Fast Facts
families who received diapers
total diapers distributed
diapers collected by Bare Bottoms
What you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is diaper need?
Diaper need is the struggle to provide babies and small children with clean diapers. Some families have to cut back on essentials, like food, utilities, medicine, and child care in order to afford enough diapers for their children.
What are the effects of diaper need?
In households experiencing diaper need, babies may be kept in wet, dirty diapers for extended periods of time. In extreme cases, babies may wear the same diaper for more than a day or use diapers that have been cleaned or dried out. For the caregiver, this adds stress and tension to the already difficult task of parenting and has been found to increase the rates of post-partum depression in mothers. For the baby, this can result in diaper rash, discomfort, and other detrimental health issues. A baby’s emotional and physical health suffers when exposed to stressful environments for long periods of time. Excessive crying, often the result of diaper rash or discomfort, is the number one cause of child abuse.
Why do you only collect disposable diapers?
Our focus is on collecting disposable diapers because this is what our clients need most. Many of our clients only access the food bank resources once, while others may not have access to laundry facilities in order to wash and maintain cloth diapers. For those that are interested in using cloth diapers, we can refer them to other community resources that can assist them.
Can I donate cloth diapers?
Yes, we will redistribute cloth diapers to other local organizations, or alternatively you can donate cloth diapers directly to Babies in Cloth or Neighbourlink.
How can I get involved with this campaign?
The easiest way to help is to spread the word and educate people about diaper need. Let friends and family know how easy it is to donate to help babies and families in need. You can host your own diaper collection at work, schools, clubs or churches. Or ask guests to bring a diaper donation in lieu of gifts to parties. For more information, contact Tara Sarjoo at 403-319-0829 or by email
Does the Food Bank purchase diapers?
Our mandate is to provide emergency food support and therefore we generally do not use funds to purchase diapers. We rely on diaper or designated fund donations to meet the need of our baby hampers.
Does the Food Bank purchase diapers?
Our mandate is to provide emergency food support and therefore we generally do not use funds to purchase diapers. We rely on diaper or designated fund donations to meet the need of our baby hampers.
Can I donate opened packages?
Yes! New and opened packages of diapers, swim diapers and training pants are always welcomed.
What sizes of diapers are most needed?
All sizes are needed, however the larger sizes (4-6) are always in short supply since babies and small children use these sizes longer than the small newborn sizes.
Is Bare Bottoms a registered charity or non-profit?
No. Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive is organized and run by a committee of volunteers in support of the Calgary Food Bank. Visit the Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive website.
How can I start my own collection?
The Bare Bottom Diaper Drive runs all year long with a blitz month is taking place in May, with a special weekend event at the Calgary Farmer’s Market on the Mother’s Day weekend.
Please contact Tara Sarjoo at 403-319-0829 or by email if you’d like help with organizing a diaper donation drop off, posters for your collection and to register your event with the Calgary Food Bank. By registering with the food bank we can come pick up your donations!