Fort Saskatchewan diaper bank seeing supplies ‘go out just as fast as it comes in’

A community just north of Edmonton is now home to a bank that answers the call of families with newborns in need of assistance.

A community just north of Edmonton is now home to a bank that answers the call of families with newborns in need of resources. Antonia Tagliapietra’s Diaper Bank in Fort Saskatchewan was inspired by a venture of a similar name in Fredericton, N.B., started by a mom friend of hers on the east coast. The mom of two under two says the emergency service was created during her maternity leave for once-a-month use and on a first-come, first-serve basis to help as many struggling parents as possible.

“When I bought my first box of diapers, I was shocked at the cost. Then having multiple children in diapers, I obviously saw the costs and how quickly it added up. It’s not sustainable for everyone,” she said.

“Saw a need for help in our community, and that’s kind of where it started.” In the last three months since its inception, Tagliapietra says she’s helped three to five people per day. “I would say it goes out just as fast as it comes in,” she added.

The operation is a tad different from others, she said, because of its emphasis on anonymity. Parents message the Diaper Bank’s Facebook page and make their request – Tagliapietra can also offer formula and other baby essentials. After confirming the request, she pops the order onto her front porch for easy pick up.

“I had my first son quite young myself. I don’t think, if I was struggling, that I’d want to walk in somewhere and have a face-to-face interaction,” she explained. Tagliapietra says she’s also received requests for adult-sized diapers or other resources that could be used in seniors’ homes.

The mom says she has it all, currently – from swim and postpartum diapers to men’s medium-sized diapers – and plans to keep the shelves stocked as long as possible. With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Galen McDougall