The National Diaper Bank Network reports that one in two U.S. families are diaper insecure. Despite being one of the most costly baby essentials, diapers cannot be purchased with most government assistance, leaving many Boston families in a precarious position. Even WIC (Women, Infant, and Children), a federal assistance program to support low-income pregnant women and women with children under 5, does not allow recipients to purchase diapers with the financial aid they receive.
Diaper banks exist — many created by moms on a mission to uplift other families — to provide free diapers for Boston-area families in need. Whether you’re wishing to donate diapers, request diapers, or volunteer with a local nonprofit, this list is a necessary resource for moms in the Greater Boston area!
Neighbors in Need Diaper Bank
60 Island Street, Suite 74A, Lawrence
For more than 40 years, Neighbors in Need has been a lifeline for 1,600 families in Lawrence, Methuen, Andover, and North Andover by providing essential food and diapers every week. This invaluable diaper program is open to residents of Greater Lawrence. The community-based organization encourages the community to host diaper drives and to contact them directly for donation deliveries.
A Place to Turn
99 Hartford Street, Natick
A Place to Turn believes every child should have enough diapers to be clean, dry, and healthy. They estimate that up to 3,000 families in Natick and Framingham struggle to buy diapers. The organization established The Diaper Project to support families in their community. Donations are welcomed and can be dropped off directly at A Place to Turn.
Lowell Alliance
97 Central Street, Unit 302, Lowell
Since 2010, the Lowell Alliance has distributed more than 100,000 diapers throughout the Lowell community annually. The Lowell Alliance works with various local faith organizations, businesses, and nonprofits to replenish their diaper bank throughout the year. They also maintain an Amazon wish list for those wishing to donate diapers to their neighbors in need.
Beantown Baby Diaper Bank
Lexington
Beantown Baby Diaper Bank works to mitigate diaper need and increase awareness about the role diaper need plays in the poverty cycle. They donated more than 120,000 diapers in 2023 through their work with eight partner agencies. These partners distribute diapers within the Lexington, Burlington, and Waltham communities. You can donate through a drop-box located at Stop & Shop on 36 Bedford Street in Lexington or by coordinating via email. You can also fulfill needs by purchasing diapers from the organization’s Amazon and Target wishlists.
Cradles to Crayons
281 Newtonville Avenue, Newtonville
Cradles to Crayons is on a mission to support children and families facing clothing insecurity. The organization collects new and nearly new supplies through grassroots efforts in the community and corporate drives to support families throughout Massachusetts. They provide family assistance through various partners to expand their impact. Unopened diapers and training pants can be donated at their drop-off locations throughout the Commonwealth.
Bambino Basket
721 Hale Street, Beverly
Bambino Basket is a nonprofit working to support families by providing essentials for babies and children up to age 7. They partner with organizations to receive referrals for caregivers to shop free of charge at their store. Community members are able to donate or receive support on Tuesdays and Thursdays or by appointment.
South Boston Neighborhood House
136 H Street, South Boston
For more than 120 years, the South Boston Neighborhood House (The Ollie) has supported families in the community. The Ollie Diaper Depot allows families monthly visits for diapers and wipes. Families must register monthly to be guaranteed an opportunity to pick up at one of the bi-monthly pickup opportunities.
Baby Basics
Needham
Baby Basics provides diaper assistance to qualified, low-income working residents in Needham and Dedham. Baby Basics believes that early intervention with infants is one of the best ways to prevent a later failure to thrive. By providing babies with the essentials, they hope to maximize their potential development!
Metro-Boston Diaper Drive
Local moms Kerstin Sinkevicius and Kim Jalet have organized the Metro-Boston Diaper Drive for the past six years. They have collected more than 200,000 diapers for Boston families, which are donated to the Somerville WIC office. Loose diaper donations are accepted and arranged through email.
*You may be wondering why families who are struggling to afford disposable diapers don’t use reusable or cloth diapers instead. Many caregivers don’t have access to laundry units in their homes, and laundromats will often refuse to allow cloth diapers to be washed in their facilities. Additionally, some childcare providers will not allow cloth diapers, and many income-constrained families rely on childcare services.
This article was originally published in 2021 by Tracy Skelly and has been updated for 2024.
