[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 141 (Tuesday, November 18, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1625]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE NEW HAVEN DIAPER BANK ON THE CELEBRATION OF ITS 10TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ROSA L. DeLAURO

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 18, 2014

  Ms. DeLAURO. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to rise today to 
join the many friends, supporters, and community leaders who have 
gathered this evening to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the New 
Haven Diaper Bank. This is a remarkable milestone for this outstanding 
organization--a decade of ``change from the bottom up!''
  A social worker by training, Joanne Goldblum spent much of her career 
working with impoverished families. It was during this time that she 
began to notice that many of the families she was working with simply 
went without basic toiletries like diapers and toilet paper. When one 
of her clients told her that these things were not covered by food 
stamps or any other assistance program, Joanne decided to take action. 
The New Haven Diaper Bank, an organization dedicated to ensuring that 
every child in the United States has an adequate supply of diapers to 
remain clean, dry and healthy, was founded in 2004 with Joanne holding 
the first diaper distribution in her home. That year, the New Haven 
Diaper Bank provided nearly 5,000 to five flagship agencies and in just 
ten short years, the organization has grown tremendously, distributing 
17,000,000 free diapers to families in need throughout the country 
through their nationally recognized Diaper Distribution Network.
  True to Joanne's vision, the organization's mission is to raise 
awareness of diaper need and to build the capacity of diaper banks 
throughout the country by creating a national network of community 
partners. With 5.8 million babies in the United States three years or 
younger living in poor or low-income families, disposable diapers 
costing up to $100 per month per baby, and most childcare centers, even 
free and subsidized facilities requiring parents to provide a day's 
supply of disposable diapers, the need is staggering.
  Today, while Joanne is leading the National Diaper Bank Network, the 
New Haven Diaper Bank is currently led by another exceptional woman, 
Janet Alfano. Joanne and Janet have been relentless fighters for 
children in our state, and the good work they do could not be more 
important. I cannot thank them enough for helping to ease the burdens 
on low-income families, and giving every child an opportunity to 
thrive.
  I am so proud to stand today to extend my very best wishes to Joanne, 
Janet and the many the friends and supporters of the New Haven Diaper 
Bank as they celebrate this very special occasion. Happy 10th 
Anniversary and all the best for many more years of continued success.

                          ____________________