Greater DC Diaper Bank: The FILM!

Something as simple as a fresh and clean bottom can help babies and their families rise to the top. Learn how Greater DC Diaper Bank began from a sleepless night in 2009.

In October 2009, Corinne Cannon and her husband Jay welcomed a beautiful baby boy named Jack who turned out to be quite the challenge.

Colicky, restless, high needs, you name it – Jack was a challenging baby. Even with incredible family support and enough resources to care for Jack, Cannon was amazed at how hard it was to be a parent. Cannon began to think about other mothers less fortunate than she, and how they might be dealing with the same stress she felt. She knew there was no magic “easy” button for raising a child and began searching for ways to help make raising an infant easier for those who lacked support.

After extensive research and many phone calls, Cannon learned diapers weren’t covered by food stamps or WIC funds, and that social-service organizations in the Washington DC metro area were in desperate need of diapers. After reading about diaper banks in cities across the country that filled this void, Cannon planned to volunteer at a diaper bank in DC – only to find out the closest one was in Pennsylvania.

On Jack’s first birthday in October 2010, Cannon established DC Diaper Bank and the organization has been expanding ever since. The community response has been amazing – dozens of diaper drives, donations from near and far, emails of support and “thank you” messages from strangers, and of course, lots and lots of diapers.

Today Greater DC Diaper Bank, using a proven model, provides diapers to social service organizations that are already helping families in need through comprehensive programs and services. Diapers act as a “gateway” to introduce hard to reach families to social services and other vital resources.

October 2010 – DC Diaper Bank founded

April 2011 – First diapers distributed in partnership with Capital Area Food Bank

August 2013 – Moved into Warehouse space

March 2014 – Launched The Baby Pantry

August 2015 – Doubled Warehouse space

July 2017 – Distributed 5,000,000th diaper

October 2017 – Rebrand to Greater DC Diaper Bank and launched The Nursery Project