Hurricane Harvey: Diaper bank seeking donations for storm evacuees

The Austin Diaper Bank in Texas needs your help. It needs diapers (both adult and infant), as well as wipes and diaper cream, to put together packets for people who have evacuated to Austin because of Hurricane Harvey.

For local donors, the diaper bank warehouse bin is at 8711 Burnet Road, back of Building B, or you can go online to austindiaperbank.org to find a drop-off location. Donors outside the Austin area can have items shipped directly to the diaper bank using its Amazon Wish List. You also can donate money at www.austindiaperbank.org.

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On Monday, the diaper bank created packets and packed a truck donated by Longhorn Car and Truck Rentals with more than 3,000 diapers and wipes to take to Houston and South Texas.

“During times of disaster and catastrophe, families often have to leave their homes on a moment’s notice or do not have the ability take long-term supplies with them,” said Holly McDaniel, executive director of the Austin Diaper Bank, in a press release. “We want to make sure that an adequate supply of diapers is not a worry during these stressful times. Diapers are not supplied by disaster relief agencies, and they are essential to keep babies, children and adults clean, dry and healthy.”

McDaniel is the new executive director at the diaper bank as of last week. She has more than 15 years of experience with nonprofits in Austin and California. Previously, she was director of individual giving and philanthropy at KMFA, 89.5, the classical public radio station in Austin.

The diaper bank expects to hit 1 million diapers donated early next year and now works with 40 local nonprofit agencies to distribute diapers throughout Central Texas. It was started in 2013 by Beverly Hamilton of Austin, who left the executive director role in June. “I really wanted the organization to grow and have the impact it could have,” she said of her decision to leave. “My goal was to get it started and get it going. It’s in good hands now.”

Hamilton will still serve on the board of directors. She’s started a consulting firm, Small But Mighty Consulting, to help small nonprofit organizations do things that they can’t afford to hire a full-time person to do as well as executive director coaching.

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