There’s no question that broken supply chains, inflation, and poverty make it difficult to afford a lot of things these days. Unfortunately, most diaper banks focus on children and toddlers to the exclusion of adult diaper needs. In many areas, adult diaper banks are few and far between, so many low-income adults struggle to find what they need.
Fear not: this quick guide and diaper bank directory will help you or a loved one find the incontinence products you need. First, let’s look at some general resources for free and low-cost diapers.
Diaper bank alternatives
Not all areas have a diaper bank that helps with adult incontinence needs. Luckily, both areas that have banks and those that don’t often have other resources.
- State-level departments of aging or adult welfare
- Health departments, local and state
- Doctor’s offices, home health agencies, and hospitals can frequently make a referral for their patients.
- Social services agencies, including elder care and overall poverty-focused.
- Your local senior center.
- Food banks sometimes carry adult hygiene products, including incontinence supplies.
While these resources are great at finding needed resources, they aren’t dedicated to incontinence supplies. Generally, they’ll find you a source of free adult diapers and give you a referral. Sometimes they run their own diaper bank, but they usually don’t.
Diaper banks by state
With that in mind, the biggest source of free diapers in many areas is a dedicated diaper bank. The Simon Foundation has a list of diaper banks, but the list isn’t always updated because some open and shut occasionally. In addition, it’s sometimes hard to see which banks are in your state. With that in mind, here’s an improved list, organized by state. We’ve also included a contact method if available.
AL
- Daisy Diaper Bank: Birmingham. Contact through the webform. https://www.daisydiaperbank.org/
AZ
- Diaper Bank of Central Arizona: Tucson. Contact through the webform. https://www.diaperbank.org/diaper-request-form/
- Saint Mary’s Food Bank: Phoenix. Contact through the webform. https://www.firstfoodbank.org/
CA
- Catholic Charities of Los Angeles: Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Contact info here: https://catholiccharitiesla.org/contact/
CO
- Catholic Charities of Colorado: Denver. Contact info here: https://ccdenver.org/diaper/#contact
CT
- The Diaper Bank of Connecticut: statewide referrals. Look for partner agencies at https://www.thediaperbank.org/ddn-member-directory/
FL
- The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco – Pinellas: Pasco, Pinellas counties. https://www.agingcarefl.org/
GA
- Atlanta Community Food Bank: Atlanta. https://www.acfb.org/
IL
- Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County, IL. Contact through the website. https://diaperbanklc.com/
- Diaper Bank of Northern Illinois: McHenry County and surrounding areas. Contact: http://www.diaperbankni.org/contact_us.aspx
- Evansville Christian Life Center: Evansville. Contact through the website. https://restoringpeople.com/
IN
- Saint Thomas Episcopal Church Non-food pantry: Plymouth. https://stthomasplymouth.org/outreach/non-food-pantry/
MI
- The Diaper Alliance: Midland. Contact through the website. https://www.detroitdiaperbank.com/diapers/
NC
- Diaper Bank of North Carolina: Durham. Service areas throughout NC. Contact through website: https://ncdiaperbank.org/
- Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina: Raleigh. Contact through website: https://foodbankcenc.org/
NJ
- The Adult Care Brief Bank: Bergen County. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/adultcarebrief/
- Modestly Cover Diaper Bank of Essex County: Essex. Webform to contact: http://essexcountydiaperbank.org/
- Hunterdon Hygiene Connection: Hunterdon County. Through United Way. Contact through website: https://www.uwhunterdon.org/our-programs/hunterdon-hygiene-connection
- ICNA Relief of New Jersey: Newark. Details and intake through the website: https://www.icnarelief.org/nj/specialty-pantry/
NV
- Las Vegas Diaper Bank: Las Vegas. More information here: https://lasvegasdiaperbank.godaddysites.com/
OH
- Mid Ohio Food Collective: Grove City. Information here: https://mofc.org/
- Sisters In Power: Toledo. Information here: https://sistersinpower.webs.com/
OR
- PDX Diaper Bank: Portland. Information here: https://www.pdxdiaperbank.org/
PA
- Mitzvah Circle Foundation: Blue Bell. More information here: https://mitzvahcircle.org/
- Greater Philadelphia Diaper Bank: Philadelphia. Webform contact: http://philadelphiadiaperbank.org/
TN
- Mid-South Food Bank: Memphis. Works through partner agencies. Website: https://www.midsouthfoodbank.org/
TX
- Austin Diaper Bank: Austin. Works through partner agencies. Website: https://austindiapers.org/
- Texas Diaper Bank: San Antonio. Webform to enroll: https://www.texasdiaperbank.org/programs/
VA
- Greater Hampton Roads Diaper Bank: Yorktown. Works through agencies, list provided: http://ghrdiaperbank.org/ourpartners/
WA
- Tri-Cities Diaper Bank: Richland. Webform to contact: https://www.tricitiesdiaperbank.org/
Featured Image Credit: National Diaper Bank Network, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sarah Johnson
Aging in Place ExpertSarah Johnson is an Aging in Place Expert with extensive experience helping seniors remain independent and comfortable in their homes. She has specialized knowledge of how to help elderly individuals stay healthy, safe, and happy as they age. Sarah is passionate about providing quality care for aging adults, allowing them to remain in their homes and enjoy the highest quality of life.