EVENTS
Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive
Going through an average of eight diapers per day, the cost of diapers can quickly become overwhelming for families facing food insecurity.
BARE BOTTOMS DIAPER DRIVE
Providing for your baby shouldn’t be a struggle.
Diapers are a critical part of every baby’s life, but they come with a high cost.
The Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive was started in 2013 when passionate and dedicated volunteer Kristina Prins discovered that there was a connection between diaper insecurity and food insecurity. Kristina wanted to bring awareness to the Calgary community to ensure that families had access to much needed diapers, wipes, food and formula.
A baby uses an average of eight diapers a day, costing roughly $25 a week for diapers and wipes. For the over 10,000 families each year that receive diapers from the Calgary Food Bank, this is a huge help.
In 2020, over 270,420 diapers were distributed to 10,569 families experiencing diaper insecurity in Calgary. The Bare Bottoms Diaper Drive, which runs throughout the year with a blitz fundraising month in May, ensures that we have the resources needed to make sure the youngest and most vulnerable in our community are taken care of.
11% of the Emergency Food Hampers distributed contain diapers, wipe, baby food and formula.
One Baby Hamper
contains 7 to 10 days
worth of diapers and wipes, and over a
weeks worth of baby food and formula.
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. We rely on donations of diapers and designated fund donations towards diapers to fill the over 10,000 baby hampers distributed each year.
! Please note, we use Canada Helps to facilitate our online donations. Once your donation is made you will automatically receive a receipt to your email from Canada Helps.
DONATE DIAPERS
Donate opened or unopened packages of diapers at the Calgary Food Bank or one of the Alberta Health Service Centres, listed below.
Diapers can be dropped-off at the Calgary Food Bank Monday to Thursday: 8 am – 7:30 pm or Friday: 8 am – 3 pm at our Loading Dock, Door 3. COVID-19 Safety Protocols are in place. When you arrive, please ring the buzzer at Door 3 and wait at the bottom of the stairs for assistance.
DONATE DIAPERS
Drop-off locations
Donate opened or unopened packages of diapers at one of the locations listed below or at your local grocery store.
AHS – Thornhill Community Health Centre
6617 Centre St NW
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 – 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
AHS – Shaganappi Community Health Centre
3415 8 Ave SW
Calgary Food Bank (Year Round)
Diapers can be dropped-off at the Calgary Food Bank Monday to Thursday: 8 am – 7:30 pm or Friday: 8 am – 3 pm at our Loading Dock, Door 3.
Please note that COVID-19 Safety Protocols are in place. When you arrive, please ring the buzzer at Door 3 and wait at the bottom of the stairs for assistance.
Alberta Health Services Centres (Year Round)
Thornhill Community Health Centre
6617 Centre St NW
Northwest Community Health Centre
109, 1829 Ranchlands Blvd. NW
Shaganappi Community Health Centre
3415 8 Ave SW
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
Did You know?
2020 Fast Facts
families received diapers
diapers distributed
diapers collected
What you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
What is diaper insecurity?
Diaper insecurity 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 childcare in order to afford enough diapers for their children.
What are the effects of diaper insecurity?
In households experiencing diaper insecurity, 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 parents, 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.
How can I get involved with this campaign?
The easiest way to help is to spread the word and educate people about diaper insecurity. Let friends and family know how easy it is to donate to help babies and families in needing diapers. 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 Wenzel at 403-319-0829 or by email.
Does the Food Bank purchase diapers?
We rely on donations of diapers and designated fund donations towards diapers to fill the over 10,000 baby hampers distributed each year. Because it is a mandate that the Calgary Food Bank provides emergency food support, we do not use general fund donations to purchase diapers.
How do I get diapers for my baby?
Baby Hampers are part of the Emergency Food Hamper Program. Please call 403-253-2055 to request your emergency food hamper and ask our volunteers to include a baby hamper. You must call first as hamper distribution is by appointment only.