DUNMORE, Pa. — Volunteers pushed carts filled with diapers at the St. Joseph's Center in Dunmore for National Diaper Need Awareness Week.
It's one of the main supplies flying off the organization's baby pantry shelves.
"Three in five families struggle to go to work or go to school because they don't have enough money to pay for diapers for the children to go to daycare," said Tamara Hall, Saint Joe's Maternity and Family Services Director.
St. Joseph's Center volunteers are looking to collect thousands of diapers through its "Fill the Van" campaign to combat the growing issue.
As of Thursday, more than 5,000 diapers have been donated.
"It's been really positive. People have been coming in the rain, dropping off diapers and wipes for us, and we appreciate every single donation that comes in,' said Hall.
From newborn to size six to all kinds of pull-ups, the staff at Saint Joe's has been collecting diapers at the facility in Dunmore for more than a decade.
And it's a product that's price just keeps going up.
"They probably run for one child anywhere from $100 to $125 a month for one child. So if you have two or three in diaper, you can see the ads up very quickly," explained Mary Griffin, the center's Baby Pantry Outreach Coordinator.
Along with rising prices, the center has also seen an increase in the number of families in need.
"We have so many people that rely on us. We serve about 300 clients a month," added Griffin.
According to Consumer Reports, an independent nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers, parents typically use about 3,000 diapers per child in the first year.
With more people relying on its Baby Pantry, Saint Joe's staff say the need for all sizes of diapers is higher than ever.
"If you have a child and you're caring for them, I mean, we'll help you," said Hall.
National Diaper Need Awareness Week runs until September 29th.
Donations can be brought to St. Joseph's Center in Dunmore year-round.