Charity drive hoping to raise more than 20,000 diapers for families in need

Organizers of the "20K Diaper Drive" are hoping to raise more than 20,000 diapers and some cash donations for Edmonton's Food Bank. (Source: File)

Edmonton businesses are teaming up to launch an annual diaper drive to support families in need.

The Fourth, a maternity and postpartum store at Southgate Centre, and Edmonton Playgrounds, an online source for family-friendly activities in the capital region, are launching the “20K Diaper Drive” on Saturday. Their goal is to raise more than 20,000 diapers and some cash to buy diapers for Edmonton’s Food Bank.

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“I know it’s really tough for families right now – especially when the cost of raising a child is going up – and so whatever I can do to help our community and give back, that’s the reason I’m doing it,” The Fourth founder Iris Toon told CTV News Edmonton on Friday.

Toon, a mom to three kids, came up with the idea of the fundraiser when she was left with unfinished boxes of diapers and wondered how she could donate them. That’s when she discovered the food bank would accept open-box diapers.

“I just want to gather up all these diapers that moms and families have and donate them to a good cause,” Toon said.

In 2023, they raised more than 21,000 diapers and more than $6,000 in cash donations. Last year, they were able to exceed that and raised more than 22,000 diapers and close to $4,000 in cash donations. Toon said she is hoping to continue breaking their record.

“The whole point is to really get as many diapers donated,” she said. “I would absolutely love to get more than 20,000.”

“We are rallying our communities to support us,” Edmonton Playgrounds founder Jill Footz said in a news release on Friday. “Iris and I both connect daily with families – and mothers especially – and the support in Edmonton is phenomenal when it comes to helping those in need.”

Diapers can be donated directly at The Fourth store located on the second floor of Southgate Centre. Any loose, unused diapers should be sealed in a clear plastic bag before donation.

Monetary donations can be made online at edmontonsfoodbank.com and selecting “The Fourth Diaper Drive” from the donation page.

The diaper drive runs from Saturday to Jan. 31, going throughout the holiday season and into the new year.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Marek Tkach