Jo Welsh believes that now is the time of increase, not a time of withdrawal.

“When Tim and I founded Bottoms Up Diaper Bank, we just thought we could do something for impoverished mothers. Now, there are entire communities that rely on us to deliver enough diapers to help those moms keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy.”

Bottoms Up Diaper Bank has grown to the point that they are delivering diapers and wipes to 75 community partners in 20 counties. It operates four delivery vehicles (driven by volunteers) and runs six storage facilities scattered across central and southeastern Ohio. In 2023, they delivered nearly 1 Million diapers.

But Welsh says they need to do more.

“In 2024, we plan to double our distribution to our partners,” says Welsh. “I always ask the partners ‘what can we do to better serve?’ and almost all say: more diapers.”

Bottoms Up encourages the food pantries, childcare facilities, domestic abuse shelters, and pregnancy centers that they serve to distribute 25 diapers per child. According to a study done by the National Diaper Bank Network, the number of diapers per child can be most effective in eliminating the issues associated with diaper need is 50.

So, in 2024, Bottoms Up will be adopting that standard, effectively doubling its distribution.

Additionally, Bottoms Up will be taking on new partners in geographies that it doesn’t currently serve.

Diaper need is a growing problem. A clean diaper means a happy baby, but 1 in 2 U.S. families cannot afford enough diapers to keep their babies clean, dry, and healthy. These babies are more vulnerable to painful rashes and urinary tract infections and have more trips to the doctor. As many as 3 in 5 parents miss work or school because they can’t afford the diapers required to leave their baby in childcare. Clean diapers are a basic need of every baby and toddler.

Distributing an increased number of diapers, Welsh hopes to have a bigger impact on the lives of these babies and their moms.

“We’re meeting with our community partners we serve to map out a plan to give them more diapers to give to their constituents, but there are a lot of issues that we need to understand and solve,” says Welsh. “Logistics, storage, delivery schedules, volunteer involvement all need to be addressed for us to be able to meet our goal. Finances will be a big piece of the puzzle.”

Welsh understands that there was disappointment and even depression over the passage of Issue 1 in November, but she and her husband Tim are determined to continue to find ways to help women who are living below the poverty line.

“It’s heartbreaking to see how many mothers need help and don’t know where to turn. We hope that the little bit we do can help them get by.”

And for those mothers who are grappling with an unexpected pregnancy, Welsh hopes that the availability of diapers and wipes through the partners of Bottoms Up will make a difference. She knows that poverty and immorality are not synonymous.

Even so, Bottoms Up is not on a crusade. The mission of the organization is to be present for the mothers and their babies when and where they need assistance, Welsh insists.

“Sometimes, it’s as simple as a smile, a kind word, a hug, or even a package of diapers to resurrect the dignity of these mothers and take away one of the worries of their day. Many times, they just need someone to help them diminish the shadow of their past and help them recognize the brightness of their future. That’s why we do what we do at Bottoms Up.”