Let's End Diaper Need Together!

The Snuggled with a Hug Diaper Bank program started in 2021 in no small part due to the passionate efforts of Elaine Krohn, one of our current United Way Board Members. This program strives to end diaper need in our service area which is defined as the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep an infant clean, dry, and healthy. The staggering statistic that continues to spur us to action is that 1 in 2 families in the United Sates struggles with diaper need according to the National Diaper Bank Network.

Since Snuggled with a Hug launched, we have served over 230 unique Shawano County families (as of June 2025), and the program continues to grow. During the 2024 season, we gave out over 24,000 diapers to families in need and are well on track to match or exceed that number in 2025! We have also received some generous financial support this year from the CoVantage Cares Foundation and the 100+ Women Who Care of Shawano County! Because of this funding, which will help support the Diaper Bank for multiple years at the current distribution rate, we are able to start dreaming big about ways to expand how we support our local families. We are hoping to be able to present some big announcements by the end of the summer!

How Does the Diaper Bank Work?

One question we get a lot is how we verify that we're helping families in need. Although we would like to provide diapers for anyone who requests them, we currently have a vetting process using two qualifiers:

1) Families must present a valid form of ID, mail, or other means of demonstrating that they live in Shawano County.
2) Families must provide proof of being enrolled in BadgerCare OR in WIC. 

The second qualifier is how we vet to make sure we are supporting families in the greatest financial need. So, how do we get the diapers to those families? On the first Tuesday of each month from 4:00 to 6:00 PM families come to the First Presbyterian Church on Main St. in Shawano. If it's their first time attending, they fill out a quick registration form and then receive their diapers and wipes along with their blue diaper bank card that they will need to bring to every subsequent distribution night. If they have already registered, families are able to send a trusted person in their stead with this card. PLEASE NOTE: Parent or legal guardian (must bring guardianship papers) must be present to register for diapers. Families can receive a package of diapers sizes 1 through 7 for each of their children under the age of 4 years old. After 4, the children are aged out of the program.

Community Partners

We are incredibly grateful to our partners that help make this program a success! They include the First Presbyterian Church who allow us to use their facilities for a very minimum rental fee each month, Shawano County WIC who helps share information about the program with their families, and Family Services of Northeast Wisconsin who we partner with in a variety of ways including sending families to their Community Giving Closet.

We are most proud, however, of our partnership with the Shawano Area Food Pantry and Resource Center (SAFPARC)! On Diaper Bank distribution nights, they open their doors specifically for our diaper bank families which means families can come receive their diapers from us and then immediately go two blocks over and receive free food and resources! This partnership has greatly increased family involvement with SAFPARC and has removed a barrier for families who can benefit from both programs in one night instead of needing to juggle to schedules.

How Can I Get Involved?

Interested in supporting the Snuggled with a Hug Diaper Bank? We have 3 opportunities for you!

1) Dontate today! You can send a donation to the Shawano Area United Way online at Donate | Shawano Area United Way and put "Diaper Bank" in the Donation Notes or send a check to PO Box 31 in Shawano with "Diaper Bank" in the memo line and the funds will be used only for Diaper Bank Purposes!

2) Run a diaper drive or donate diapers! We go through A TON of diapers every year! Thankfully, we are blessed with a variety of community partners who donate diapers throughout the year to help offset our costs. There are dedicated donation boxes at Peace UCC Shawano and the First Presbyterian Church where you can drop your donations year-round of diapers sizes newborn to 7 (any brand) or wipes. There are several organizations who have run diaper drives for us as well such as the congregation at Zion ELCA in Shawano, the team at Associated Bank (pictured below), and BMO Bank in Shawano. Interested in running a diaper drive with your local organization? Send us an email at unitedwayofshawanocounty@gmail.com!

3) Volunteer! Complete the Volunteer Form at the bottom of this page and let us know you want to volunteer at the Diaper Bank: Volunteer Opportunities | Shawano Area United Way! You can help out at distribution nights in a variety of ways or help schedule a group to come pack diapers in their distribution packages as a onetime event! Diaper Bank clients that volunteer also receive an extra package on distribution night!