U of A public health student Malekia Firestine is hosting a diaper drive on campus through Oct. 9. Diaper donations may be delivered to the third-floor main entrance of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Building on Stadium Drive.

Newborn and diapers sized 1-6 are needed as well as pull-ups sized 2T/3T, 3T/4T and 4T/5T.

Firestine is collaborating with Robert Davis, an assistant professor of public health and director of the Substance Use and Mental Health Laboratory at the U of A. She is an intern at Family Network and is assisting the Diaper Collective of NWA as one of her public health projects. The Diaper Collective, the first nationally-affiliated diaper bank in Northwest Arkansas, is celebrating its official opening at 130 N. Main St. in Springdale this week.

After the pandemic started, the Family Network noticed a huge increase in requests for diapers across the region. Currently, there's no state or federal funding available to help caregivers buy them. The organization formed the Diaper Collective to help eliminate diaper need, which is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a baby clean, dry and healthy.

"Many of the diapers we donate are to teen parents and young adults who are trying to raise a baby and attend school," Firestine said. "I'm still young myself and being a college student is financially hard sometimes — and that's without a kid. I've learned in life that the littlest help can go a long way and potentially take stress off someone."

Firestine said it feels good to help make sure babies and toddlers are getting their needs met. "Having a clean diaper can lead to less health issues such as skin rashes, infections and other health concerns," she said.

Infants can require up to 12 diapers a day, and diapers can cost up to $80 a month per child. One in 3 U.S. families report that they experience diaper need, which can lead to caregivers missing work or school.

"At the U of A, we prioritize being an active partner with our Arkansas communities and the organizations that support them," Davis said. "As such, we are happy to partner with the Diaper Collective of NWA. Every diaper counts! If you are able, please help us support this important initiative."