TJ’s Story: Making a Difference One Box of Diapers at a Time

Families with young children are in great need of support, and this need is only growing. Last year, nearly half of all Americans with young children could not afford all the diapers they needed. This is up from approximately one-third of families who could not afford diapers over 10 years earlier.

According to the National Diaper Bank Network, 1 in 4 parents missed school or work because they did not have enough diapers to drop off their child at childcare, culminating in missing an average of about five workdays a month. This represents a monthly loss of $296 for a parent earning federal minimum wage.

This cycle of struggle and hardship can be debilitating for families stuck in this situation—which is why One More Child steps in to bring support to families in need. We provide diapers and other services to those in need through our Family Support program and Compassion Centers. Most recently, we distributed 303,000 diapers to families experiencing crisis following Hurricanes Helene and Milton earlier this year.

of families reported diaper need in 2023

We also provide an opportunity for community members to get involved in meeting this specific need through a special program— diaper drives. 

Anyone can sign up to host a diaper drive through One More Child—no matter your location, experience, or age—and one young boy is proving this. A few years ago, 3-year-old TJ made it his personal goal to collect diapers to help children and families in need.  

At 3 years old, TJ sat down for dinner with his family, when his mom said something he didn’t quite understand. She started talking about a friend who was hosting a diaper drive, but this didn’t make sense to him.

“But mom, why don’t their mom and dad get them diapers?” TJ asked.

According to TJ—now known as One More Child’s “Duke of Diapers”— the decision to spend his time and money to help those in need is simple. He explained, “I don’t care if I spend all my money, I’ll just make more! But these kids need help.”

One More Child rejoices at the 25,583 diapers collected by TJ, grateful for the difference they will make in the lives of struggling families, but we also celebrate his giving heart. TJ’s example serves as a reminder that we can all make a difference right where we are—we just need an open, generous, and sincere heart.

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 18: 1-3 (NIV)

Everywhere, families are working and striving to break cycles of poverty and lead their families with strength and dignity. One More Child comes alongside families, providing tangible, emotional, and spiritual support as parents and caregivers work toward their goals.

Last year, we served 2,297 clients in our Family Support program and distributed over $53 million worth of in-kind-donations including food, clothing, diapers, and critical household items.

As we work together to break cycles of struggle, something as small as a box of diapers can make a big difference. One box of diapers could help a child attend daycare, which will allow the parents to go to work and build a brighter future for their family.