The big yellow school bus was parked in West Seattle in the Viking Bank parking lot on July 24 and in a four hour period WestSide Baby managed to get well over 50,000 disposable diapers donated to "Stuff the Bus" in their annual campaign.

These diapers will be distributed, free of charge, to children in need in the King County communities served by WestSide Baby. WestSide Baby asked for clean diapers, and even open packages babies have outgrown. The most commonly requested sizes are Sizes 4, 5 & 6 as babies stay in those sizes the longest.

Last year WestSide Baby distributed more than 500,000 diapers to local children. 125% more than the prior year. Nancy Woodland, Executive Director of WestSide Baby said, “Food stamps do not cover diapers and at approximately 23 cents each diapers can average $70 to $100 per month for a struggling family. This most basic need should be as important to us all as putting food on the table. WestSide Baby distributes more than 10,000 diapers each week and we depend on community donations to help fill that need.”

Over 62 individuals, businesses, churches and organizations held their own drives to help them fill every inch of bus space.

Kimberly Clark – Huggies brand has promised a match of 2 to 1 for every diaper collected if the 50,000 goal was reached

Why diapers? Because a child that sits in the same diaper all day is vulnerable to diaper rash, infections, even abuse. The average newborn needs eight to ten diapers each day and the impact of rationing diapers means more diaper rash, unhappy babies and stressed parents. Why not cloth diapers? Most daycare centers require the use of disposable diaper for children, and most clinical settings, like crisis shelters, use disposable diapers for a combination of ease and sanitation. Studies also show the environment impact of sanitizing cloth diapers and using disposable diapers to be very similar. If parents can't afford the diapers that a day care center requires, they may not be able to take the very job that may help the family move out of crisis or poverty. Washing cloth diapers can be a burden on low-income families who have to travel to the laundromat after work, often with children in tow.

For more information: www.westsidebaby.org -- (206) 767-1662, 10032 15th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98146.