UFV nursing students are helping Chilliwack’s Salvation Army Community Food Bank address a need that often flies under the radar.

When you think food bank, you think food. It’s in the name. But diapers and baby wipes are also items the Chilliwack Community Food Bank offers to families struggling to make ends meet, and that’s where eight semester groups from UFV’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program decided to help. Led by coordinator Kate McCulloch, they conducted a diaper drive. Between the eight semester groups they brought in 13 boxes of diapers, four boxes of wipes and one box of pull-ups.

“What most people don’t realize is that for people with low income, diapers are an expensive component of childcare,” says McCulloch, who is a member of the Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health Nurses (CAPWHN). The organization encourages members to organize diaper drives to coincide with Diaper Needs Awareness Week, which this year was September 18-24.

Diapers cost around $40 a box and wipes cost around $20. For parents on shoestring budgets, that means stretching what they’ve got for as long as they can.

“When people don’t have enough money to buy enough diapers, the diapers they have stay on longer than they should,” McCulloch says. “And then those children end up with skin irritation. There’s increased risk of diaper rash (dermatitis), infections and overall discomfort.

“Children who don’t have disposable diapers may not be allowed to go to daycare, and children that have a wet or sore bottom are going to cry more often, which increases anxiety and stress for the parents and the baby.”

McCulloch says diaper wipes are equally important, going a step beyond water with special formulas to keep skin healthy.

The UFV diaper drive involved the eight BSN semester groups, with the promise of a pizza lunch for the winner. The semester-seven group prevailed, but all classes considered themselves winners for helping such a great cause.

“I was not super aware of the need for diapers in our community,” says student Aimi Shibayama-Tsuchiya. “I feel like this initiative is very important in raising awareness and gives UFV students an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way.”

“Participating in small acts of kindness like this that make a difference is deeply fulfilling,” adds student Raj Sidhu. “It brings satisfaction from knowing your actions can enhance someone’s life.”

McCulloch plans on delivering the diapers and wipes to the Chilliwack Community Food Bank this week and Don Armstrong, food bank coordinator, says the donation is greatly appreciated. He says children account for 30 per cent of the people accessing the Chilliwack Community Food Bank, and across all the Salvation Army’s programs Armstrong says there’s a big need for diapers, wipes, and baby food.

“Size four and size six diapers especially along wipes and pretty much any type of baby formula/food are needed,” he notes. “The price for those things at the stores has really risen, and what the UFV students have done to help out with their diaper drive is just fantastic.”