Tuscaloosa proclaims Diaper Need Awareness Week, honors Bottoms Up Diaper Bank

The City of Tuscaloosa proclaimed Sept. 15 through Sept. 21, 2025, as National Diaper Need Awareness Week and presented the proclamation to Bottoms Up Diaper Bank. The proclamation, read by Mayor Maddox, said diaper need — lack of sufficient clean diapers — can harm child health, raise medical costs and limit access to child care. It called attention to research cited in the proclamation that “nearly half of all families struggle with diaper needs, with 48 percent delaying diaper changes to stretch needed supplies.” The recognition highlights a local nonprofit’s work. Danielle Lee, speaking for Bottoms Up Diaper Bank, described the group’s growth since 2016 and the scale of its local distribution: "We have distributed over 260,000 diapers to families in West Alabama," she said, and urged donations and volunteer support. Why it matters: Council members and the mayor framed the proclamation as an effort to raise awareness of a basic need that affects infant health and parents’ economic stability. The proclamation encourages residents to donate diapers, hold drives and otherwise support diaper-distribution efforts in Tuscaloosa. Council remarks and next steps: After the proclamation, council members thanked Lee and invited citizens to donate. No formal vote was recorded for the ceremonial proclamation beyond the council’s acceptance and the presentation. Background: Bottoms Up Diaper Bank began in 2016 in Greene County and has expanded to four distribution sites across Tuscaloosa County, according to Lee’s remarks. The proclamation text cited national research and linked diaper access to child health and child-care access.