PITTSBURGH, PA — On Monday, Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity and volunteers from the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) visited the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank to sort and package diapers. As part of a service project linked to the NAST Treasury Management Training Symposium in Pittsburgh, NAST raised over $15,000 for the diaper bank.
The funds will allow the diaper bank to purchase around 70,000 diapers for families in need across eight counties: Allegheny, Westmoreland, Fayette, Indiana, Cambria, Greene, Beaver, and Washington.
“This is an amazing event,” said Treasurer Garrity. “The volunteers from state treasuries across the country have helped the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank dramatically impact thousands of families. Today’s event and the generosity of our donors will help children in western Pennsylvania grow up happy and healthy.”
The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, founded in 2012, has distributed over 9.3 million diapers to families in need. It is one of only two diaper banks in the western part of the state. In 2023 alone, it served 14,000 families and 50,000 babies with the help of more than a thousand volunteers.
Cathy Battle, Executive Director of the diaper bank, expressed gratitude, saying, “We are profoundly grateful to Treasurer Garrity and NAST for their incredible volunteer efforts and generosity. Their dedication raised $15,000, which will significantly impact the lives of countless families we serve.”
Jeremy Katz, representing NAST’s Corporate Affiliate Board, added, “The NAST Corporate Affiliates are honored to collaborate with Treasurer Garrity. By teaming up today, we can make a lasting impact in our brief time here in Pittsburgh.”
Diaper need has surged as prices have risen, with nearly half of families with babies nationwide reporting a need in 2023. This shortage can lead to health issues like rashes and infections and prevent children from attending early childhood education programs. Research indicates that children who participate in such programs are much more likely to pursue higher education.
Reflecting on the broader implications, Treasurer Garrity noted, “Giving every baby born in Pennsylvania a jumpstart to their education savings brings impacts that go far beyond the money. Just like donating diapers to a family in need can have a big ripple effect.”
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