BY MARIE C. BACA / JOURNAL STAFF WRITER
Monday, May 6th, 2019 at 3:44pm
Some of the products sought and a collection box that are part of a newly launched diaper drive with the city and Lovelace partnering in the program. HANDOUT IMAGE
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The City of Albuquerque has partnered with Lovelace Medical Group on a campaign to collect diapers, baby wipes and diaper rash cream to distribute to families in need.
The drive takes place from Monday through June 2. Diapers and other supplies can be dropped off at any of the city’s 22 community centers, the four health and social service centers and Lovelace Women’s Hospital, among other locations. The full list is available at www.cabq.gov/family.
Bobby Cisneros, the city’s planning manager, said the city currently distributes diapers through the Emergency Diaper program run by the Department of Family and Community Services’ Division of Health and Social Services. But in many cases, the need for such supplies is far greater than the available inventory.
“A lot of times we have to tell folks to come back later,” said Cisneros. “We’re hoping to collect enough to keep that from happening any time soon.”
Last year, the Emergency Diaper program provided 3,432 families to approximately 105 families, according to a news release.
In a statement, Lovelace Women’s Hospital CEO Sheri Milone said the organization is “very proud to partner with the City of Albuquerque to support our local community and our mothers.” Lovelace is providing several collection locations as well as marketing and advertising support for the drive.
Cisneros said diapers are the highest priority items for the campaign this week, though they are also seeking baby wipes and rash cream. He said city is unable to accept baby food donations at this time due to concerns about expiration dates and food safety.
Families in need of diapers can find more information at www.cabq.gov/help/diapers.