St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Experiences Increased Diaper Need

 Research recently released by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) reports that 47% of U.S. families with young children struggle to afford diapers. At a local level, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank reveals it has seen a 25% increase in diaper distribution – approximately 300,000 diapers each year – since 2020.

St. Louis Area Diaper Bank is a member of the NDBN and its sister organization Alliance for Period Supplies, a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to eliminating diaper need and “period poverty” in America. This year the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank – through a network of 70 community organizations, educational and health partners serving low-income families – will distribute 4.1 million diapers to more than 70,000 families in the St. Louis region. Last year the nonprofit distributed 3.3 million diapers in St. Louis.

The NDBN Diaper Check 2023: Diaper Insecurity among U.S. Children and Families is a nationally representative study commissioned by the NDBN. Major findings include:

· A significant increase of 14 percentage points in diaper need since the first study was conducted in 2010.
· Diaper need intersects with food insecurity, and 28% of respondents who reported diaper need said they skipped meals so they could afford more diapers.
· 70% of the respondents reported they were stressed or anxious about their responsibilities as a parent or caregiver. 53% said they felt judged because they could not afford diapers.
· One in four (25%) of parents and caregivers with diaper need reported having to miss work or school because they did not have enough diapers to drop their child off at childcare. They also reported missing an average of 5.1 workdays in the past 30 days, which represents a loss of $296 per month for a parent earning the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

“This national study solidifies what we are feeling firsthand in our community,” said St. Louis Area Diaper Bank Executive Director Muriel Smith. “It’s time to realize that we are in a public health crisis, one that causes harm to our children and their families. We as a nation must do better to support those who need our help.”

Founded in 2014, the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank provides diaper and period supply access to the region’s low-income families, as well as raises community awareness about the causes and consequences of diaper need and period poverty. For more information, call (314) 624-0888.

St. Louis Area Diaper Bank
Muriel Smith
314-624-0888
www.stldiaperbank.org

ContactContact

Categories

  • Philanthropy & Non-profit

City of St. Louis to Issue a Proclamation for Optimist Day in Honor of the Optimist Club of St. Louis, MO and Their 106 Years of Community Service

 Mayor Tishaura O. Jones to issue an Optimist Day Proclamation on Thursday, February 2, 2023. On this day, the community can be an Optimist themselves in action by joining us to honor the Optimist Club of St. Louis and its 106+ years of helping the community and youth of St. Louis, Missouri.

“Today is a day to celebrate Optimist Day and optimism! As part of the organization’s ongoing mission, the Optimist Club of St. Louis is delighted to receive this proclamation from Mayor Tishaura O. Jones and the City of St. Louis, in recognizing Optimist Day and the Club for its over 106+ years of contributions to the community. With optimism as a cornerstone, the Club members hope to inspire others to embrace the positive and pass that on to others.” – Jennifer Bagwell, President of Optimist Club of St. Louis, MO.

Each year, Optimist Clubs around the world volunteer their time and skills in programs to improve their communities and provide opportunities for the youth of all ages. They provide leadership, scholarship, wellness, safety, arts, and sports programs. Optimist members look to the future with hope, and on Optimist Day please celebrate the volunteers who share their enthusiasm, skills, and talent to make tomorrow a vibrant and peaceful one.

The Optimist Club of St. Louis started in 1916 and has supported local youth in the city of St. Louis for over 106 years through programs and service projects that the Club is involved in. Additionally, the Club awards annual grants to other organizations in the community, all in the name of Optimism.

Optimist Club of St. Louis
Jennifer Bagwell
314-954-4613
stloptimists.org

ContactContact

Categories

  • Government

St. Louis Author Carin Fahr Shulusky Releases “Finding Light in a Lost Year”

 PenPower Book Marketing Services and Fossil Creek Press are pleased to announce the release of lifetime St. Louis resident Carin Fahr Shulusky’s newest novel, Finding Light in a Lost Year, a poignant analysis of the trials faced by American families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“East coast versus west coast, rural versus city,” says Shulusky, “there is often discussion about what divides us. But the pandemic had the opposite effect. It was an experience shared by all. No matter the income or where in the country a person lived, everybody was impacted in similar ways.”

Finding Light in a Lost Year follows Roni Wright and the Wright family as their seemingly perfect life is upended by a worldwide pandemic. Set against the backdrop of actual events as they unfolded, the book examines how headlines translated to the struggles faced by everyday people and families.

However, unlike those headlines, by examining the effects on the Wright family, readers can empathize with the trials, as they had to face them themselves. The story acts like a mirror, shining light onto the dark times that everybody fought through and showing that what seemed like a singular problem was actually a traumatic experience felt by all. From going store to store in search of toilet paper, to juggling a home schooling schedule while also adjusting to a new and awkward work-from-home environment, the very things that isolated us for safety were the same things that many of us would turn to our community to commiserate about—a commiseration that couldn’t happen during the times of social distancing.

“I want people who read this to see that they were not alone in their own lost year,” concludes Shulusky. “As we all did our part and refrained from time spent with family and friends, it led to a sense of isolation. We lost the camaraderie and outlets to discuss the hardships of life, and thus felt that our experiences were unique. But, in fact, many of those struggles were faced by us all, and that’s what I want people to understand when they read my book.”

Finding Light in a Lost Year is available for purchase through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and at your independent local bookstores via Indiebound.

Title: Finding Light in a Lost Year by Carin Fahr Shulusky

Category: Family & Relationships / Biographical Fiction

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-7362417-2-1 ($14.95)

E-Book ISBN: 978-1-7362417-3-8

177 pages / Publication Date: May 2022

Publisher: Fossil Creek Press

PenPower Book Marketing

Jeanie C. Williams

505-660-7224

www.penpowersf.com

ContactContact

Categories

  • Books

Author Troy Louis Guides Readers Back to the Securing Love of the Father in His Book “Honor Your Body”

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.”

WEBWIRE



With the rise of social media, flex culture also found its way into society. From flaunting materialistic designer items to seemingly perfect physical appearance–people seem to find satisfaction in the validation they get through social media–but does this lead to confidence or insecurity? In a book that explores identity, author Troy Louis draws readers back to the Bible to find God’s definition of humanity.

 

“The book ‘Honor God with Your Body’ is a book that helps the reader to know who they are apart from who they may have tried to be. God has freely given everyone everything they need from birth and His desire is for us to use our talents, gifts, and abilities to our highest potential. To live a life free of comparing and trying to be like someone else. People may seem perfect on the outside but in reality, they may be miserable on the inside behind closed doors. This book is designed to protect you from yourself and other bad advisors. To put the joy back into our minds about ourselves, so we can love ourselves again.” –Troy writes.

 

Troy invites readers to see themselves through the eyes of a loving Father. He reintroduces self-worth, self-respect, and identity as he ushers the reader toward the grace of God. Troy also wrote the book in simple prose that allows an easier read, which he also laces with scriptures for inspiration.

 

Buy the book at: https://youronlinepublicist.com/product/honor-god-with-your-body-by-troy-louis

 

Honor God With Your Body

Author: Troy Louis

Publisher: Your Online Publicist

Published Date: April 2022

Book Genre: Christian Books & Bibles › Christian Living

 

About the Author:

Troy Louis the author of this book, “Honor God with Your Body.” A person that loves to encourage, loves to give to anyone a Godly solution to the problems that someone might have in the present time of their Iives. Writing is another way that Troy encourages and influences the people in and around his life. Most of his life he never had an interest in reading much less writing; however, in this season of his life God has put in Troy a desire to write and share with many God’s revelation and truth of life experience. In writing his second book, Troy wanted to share the Lord’s inspiration “Not knowing my future in writing but definitely embracing it in the moment” the belief in chasing a passion with all of a person’s heart and soul with the Lord at the center of it.

Author Troy Louis Offers Solace for Weary Souls in His Book, “Sitting on Jesus’s Lap: Life on Earth”

WEBWIRE



Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects more than 16.1 million individuals in the United States each year, or around 6.7 percent of the population aged 18 and over. MDD, often known as clinical depression, is a mental health issue with several consequences. It affects mood and behavior and bodily processes such as eating and sleeping. In the United States, MDD is one of the most common mental illnesses. Meanwhile, nearly 40 million persons in the United States (19.1%) suffer from anxiety disorders.

 

In America alone, the cry for help is seemingly increasing. But why does it take so much courage to ask for help? Are we afraid of prejudice? Or are we aware that some of our burdens take more than just sessions of talking about our feelings and chemical-induced normalcy that wears off after a few hours?

 

In “Sitting on Jesus’s Lap,” Troy Louis provides a practical narrative to help weary souls find their solace.

 

“What is going on in today’s society that’s causing this cry for help to be used so often? Is it just a common word that people use so freely? Or is it because we have an extremely high cry for help from all the problems we have on earth. Is anyone listening? Does anyone care? Is it doing me any justice? Or is the cry for help being taken in vain? Sometimes we cry out while hoping it is just a bad dream, only to realize that we all need help at some point in our lives. I am hoping this book blesses you and will be used as a tool to help you during your life trials.” –Troy writes.

 

The book offers readers holistic spiritual insights that help deal with contemporary societal issues such as pressure, anxiety, mental health instability, physical vitality, and conditions that cause us to be anxious and afraid. It provides a sense of security that only Jesus can provide. Troy allows us to become children in spirit who are honest and unapologetic in sharing their woes to Jesus.

 

The book is a read for the mind, soul, and spirit and an oasis for a hungry, tired, thirsty, and anxious world.

 

Buy the book at: https://youronlinepublicist.com/product/sitting-on-jesuss-lap-by-troy-louis

 

Sitting on Jesus’s Lap

Author: Troy Louis

Publisher: Your Online Publicist

Published Date: April 2022

Book Genre: Christian Books & Bibles › Christian Living

 

About the Author:

Troy Louis was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. He grew up in a big family, that consisted of three boys and three girls. He weighed in at a pound and half at birth with a small chance to live, but he is here today alive and well.

 

As a teenager, he gave his life to Christ and desired to live for Him; that’s when life became challenging. Now looking back at his past, he is amazed on how Christ transformed his life.