ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (September 9, 2026) — YWCA Quad Cities is raising awareness about diaper need in the Quad Cities and calling on the community to help keep local babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy during National Diaper Need Awareness Week, September 14–20.
Diaper need is a growing challenge for families across the country. Nationally, one in two US families struggles to provide enough diapers to meet their baby or toddler’s basic needs.
It’s a need the YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center sees firsthand.
The Empowerment Center is one of just two diaper banks serving the Quad Cities. Since becoming a diaper bank one year ago, YWCA Quad Cities has distributed more than 241,000 diapers to families throughout the community.
At the same time, the number of people seeking assistance at the Empowerment Center has quadrupled over the past year. With the recent announcement of the Tyson Foods plant closure, the YWCA anticipates the need for assistance will continue to grow.
The Empowerment Center currently serves close to 300 people each week, with diapers consistently among the most requested items.
Families visiting the Empowerment Center can receive 50 free diapers per child, per week, helping parents stretch their household budgets while ensuring their children have one of the most basic necessities of early childhood.
"Providing diapers to local families fills a critical need, allowing children to attend daycare and parents to go to work. By empowering families through diapers, we support our entire community," said Amy Schaefer, Executive Director of the YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center.
In recognition of National Diaper Need Awareness Week, YWCA Quad Cities is hosting a community diaper drive from September 14–20. Community members are encouraged to donate diapers of any size at the following locations:
- YWCA Quad Cities — 513 17th St, Rock Island, Illinois
- RIFAC— 4303 24th St, Rock Island, Illinois
- GECU — 2300 4th Ave, Rock Island, Illinois
- Rock Island Library branches — 401 19th St, Rock Island; 2715 30th St, Rock Island; and 9010 Ridgewood Rd, Rock Island
- YWCA Empowerment Center — 1115 Mississippi Ave, Davenport
Every package of diapers donated helps a local family meet a basic need.
Community members who are unable to participate in the diaper drive but would still like to support the Empowerment Center can also donate online.
To learn more about the YWCA Quad Cities Empowerment Center and the services available to local families, visit ywcaqc.org.
