Our Mission
to keep babies and toddlers healthier by providing diapers and wipes to families in need.
Our Story
In the summer of 2016, several local proactive social service agencies met and determined that there was a great, unmet need in our community: that of DIAPERS. It was eye-opening to hear that 1 in 3 children (it is now 1 in 2) in our country AND our local area experienced diaper need, defined as not having enough diapers for a child to be safe, dry and healthy. It was surprising to learn that diapers were not provided by any government Program such as WIC, (Women, Infant, Children,) that diapers couldn’t be purchased with SNAP (food stamps) funds, and that local food pantries did not carry them.
While we instinctively knew the most common way to stretch a diaper supply is to leave a child in a diaper longer than recommended, it was heart-wrenching to hear that moms, desperate for diapers, would take more drastic measures and air dry a wet diaper, scrape solids off a soiled diaper and line it with a paper towel to reuse, create makeshift diapers out of towels, newspapers and plastic bags, and even limit toddlers’ fluid intake to try to use fewer diapers.
In response to this new awareness of this problem, a small group of determined people decided to do something about it. After a few months of fundraising appeals, spaghetti dinners, couponing to purchase diapers at discounts and clearing space on library shelves for all the different sizes of diapers in multiple brands, the “Baby Bank, a community outreach of the First Baptist Church of Painted Post” was born.
In 2017, its first full operating year, the Baby Bank provided diapers, wipes and ointment to 251 families with 407 kids. As word spread and numbers increased exponentially, it became evident that this was more than the small congregation at the First Baptist Church could manage to fund and a separate 501(C)(3) organization was formed.
Renamed to reflect future growth, the Twin Tiers Baby Bank continued its mission, “to improve the health of babies and toddlers by providing diapers and wipes to families in need,” operating as an emergency service, like a food pantry, right through the pandemic. Given the great impact of the pandemic on so many families, we allowed for more than our original three-times-a-year visits, based on guidance from the National Diaper Bank Network. Now, families are allowed to come in up to once a month for a week’s supply of diapers, wipes and A&D ointment.
Did You Know?
- 1 in 2 children in the U.S. faces diaper need.
- Diapers are not covered by government assistance programs like SNAP or WIC.
- Families without adequate diapers face health, emotional, and economic challenges.
Board of Directors
The Twin Tiers Baby Bank is guided by a passionate and experienced board dedicated to ensuring our mission succeeds. Here are the leaders who help drive our efforts:
- Cathy Weil
Executive Director Former Broker/Owner, Coldwell Banker Horizons Realty Member
Board of Directors, Guthrie Corning Hospital - Jill Gasparri
Secretary Office Manager, First Baptist Church, Painted Post, NY
Former Accounting Clerk, Corning Community College - Oystein Ostebo
Treasurer Former High School Math Teacher and Coach, CPP School District
Past President, NY West Youth Soccer Association - Scott Morse
Director Director of Accounting, Arbor Housing and Development - Anne Galvin
Director Former Director & Teacher, YMCA Preschool Program
Our board members bring diverse expertise from fields such as education, accounting, and human services to guide the Baby Bank toward a brighter future for the families we serve.
Supportive Community Organizations
The Twin Tiers Baby Bank thrives thanks to the incredible support of our local business and organizational partners. These generous contributors have helped us provide essential services to families in need:
- United Way of the Southern Tier
- Corning Inc. Foundation
- Guthrie Healthcare
- Dandy Mini Mart
- First Heritage Credit Union
- ServU Credit Union
- Chemung Canal Trust Company
- All Saints Parish
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN)
- Amazon Warehouse (Bath)
- Christ Episcopal Church of Corning
- Corning Christian Center
- Seventh Day Adventist Church
- Congregational Church of Corning
- Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs
- Moose and Marconi Lodges
Their contributions include grants, donations, diaper drives, and other vital support, making it possible for us to serve families effectively. Interested in partnering with us? Reach out today to join this amazing network of community champions.