MONROE COUNTY — Eligible Monroe County families can get free diapers and baby wipes through the Monroe County Opportunity Program. Some area churches and organizations also offer free diapers.
MCOP has had free diaper programs since 2022. MCOP’s current program began this January. Since January, 2,447 cases of diapers have been distributed to Monroe County families, said Tamara Courts-Butts, food programs director for MCOP. She also administers the diaper grant.
A big change is coming to MCOP’s program Oct. 1. Here’s what you need to know about the program and the change.
What is changing Oct. 1?
Families will be eligible for the diapers and baby wipes less often.
“The funding source (Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program) is changing the frequency of accessing this service starting Oct. 1,” Courts-Butts said. “In the past, participants were able to receive diapers once a month. Starting Oct. 1, the funding source placed a limit on how many months clients are able to participate in the program.”
Under the new guidelines, participants are eligible for diaper packages for four consecutive months within a 12-month period. The four-month window starts the date of a participant’s first package. For example, if a participant receives a diaper package in January, she is eligible to receive packages in January, February, March and April. After April, the recipient will not be eligible again until the following January.
Why the change?
“This program is funded by the Temporary Assistance For Needy Families Program (TANF),” Courts-Butts said. “The guidelines were updated because TANF programs are intended to be temporary, time-limited programs. These types of programs are designed to assist families cope with changes in income and provide support while the household works to become self-sufficient.”
Am I qualified?
Diaper recipients must live in the same home as the child. The child must be under the age of 18.
Households are eligible for the program if they have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level or have been enrolled in any of the following programs in the last 12 months: SNAP (food stamps), FIP, State Emergency Relief (SER), Weatherization Assistance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Cash Assistance.
“Proof of income is not required, but each household will be asked to sign a document attesting to their eligibility,” Courts-Butts said.
How much is 200% of the federal poverty level?
Monthly household incomes must be at or less than:
Single person, $2,510
Two people, $3,406
Three people, $4,303
Four people, $5,200
Five people, $6,096
Six people, $6,993
For each additional family member, add $896
Many Monroe County families meet this qualification.
“MCOP completes a Community Needs Assessment every three years. This document takes a deep dive into our community make-up and their related needs,” Courts-Butts said. “The most recent report was published in 2023. The assessment utilizes U.S. Census Bureau data to outline the demographics of our county. The Census Bureau does not break down the number of households that are under 200% of the federal poverty level; however, they do report there are 33,400 individuals who live under 185% of the poverty line.”
Previous Coverage: Here’s where families can get food assistance in Monroe County in September
When and where can I get diapers?
Diapers are distributed from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays at MCOP, 1140 S. Telegraph Road in Monroe.
The Opportunity Center, 120 Eastchester St. in Monroe, distributes diapers from 1-3 p.m. Mondays.
What will I receive?
Households receive one pack of diapers and one pack of baby wipes for each child in the household.
“Each recipient receives a case of diapers and a pack of wipes,” Courts-Butts said. “The diapers come in quantities ranging from 74 to 168, depending on the size. The wipes are travel packs of 64 wipes.”
“We carry sizes from newborn to 5T, but can special-order any size, if needed,” she said. “We have seen a number of families with older children with disabilities who are in need of this service.”
Is there a big need for free diapers in Monroe County?
“During our most recent Community Needs Assessment, we discovered that 53.4% of households who live in poverty in Monroe County are single-female headed households. This figure is significant compared to the rates for married couples in poverty (28.4%) or single-male headed households (18.2%),” Courts-Butts said. “This number was very impactful for our team. With this figure in mind, we started the process of expanding the diaper bank program to help alleviate this burden.”
When did MCOP first begin offering free diapers?
“MCOP first started the diaper bank in 2022. The program operated on a much smaller scale the first two years. We were able to run the program for a few months each year before funding was exhausted,” Courts-Butts said.
“This year, we received the grant for the southeast Michigan region,” she said. “With the increased funding available this year, we were able to not only expand the program within Monroe County, but also distribute diapers in five neighboring counties (Lenawee, Livingston, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne). Through these partnerships, we are able to provide this much-needed resource to families who are struggling to meet their household needs.”
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How can I learn more?
Call MCOP at 734-241-2775 or visit monroecountyop.org.
Where else can families get diaper assistance in Monroe County?
Heartbeat of Monroe, 123 W. First St. in Monroe.
Monroe County Health Department offers the Children’s Special Health Care Services, which helps families pay for expenses for children with special needs. To learn more, call 734-240-7820.
NorthBrook Church, 12000 Jones in Carleton, offers We Care once a month. Among the items given are diapers. Upcoming distributions are Oct. 21, Nov. 18 and Dec. 16. To learn more, visit the website.
New Beginnings Mercy House, 40 N. Roessler St. in Monroe, offers diapers and other items for babies and children.
Gibraltar Food Pantry, 29885 Bayview Dr. in Gibraltar, has offered diapers in the past.
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— Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@monroenews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Learn where to get free diapers, baby wipes in Monroe County
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