When Lydia O’Regan decided to open a diaper bank in Halifax about a year ago, she had no idea it was about to serve so many people.
She had just moved back to Halifax from living in Toronto for eight years where the diaper bank was “huge and really well organized” and recognized the need here at home.
“I was looking forward to donating my extras to a diaper bank in our city and quickly realized that there wasn’t one,” explains O’Regan in an interview with Acadia News.
“So, I got the idea, started the Facebook page and the diaper bank was born.”
What is the diaper bank?
The Halifax Diaper Bank has 16 drop off locations around HRM.
At those locations you can find anything from diapers, postpartum supplies, breast pumps, nursing pads, colostrum kits and anything you need postpartum.
“Mostly are private residences that have graciously given up their front porch.”
The Private Health Clinic in Cole Harbour as well as Cornerstone Naturopathic in Upper Tantallon are also drop off spots.
Huge need
Since starting the diaper bank, O’Regan says she has collected thousands of supplies.
“Honestly, it’s been insanely busy. I get roughly 30 to 40 messages a day and I’m usually helping about five to ten people a day with order pickups,” says O’Regan.
And those who use the diaper bank are not only lower income but from all walks of life.
“I have a lot of people that reach out consistently, but I also have people where it’s a one-time thing.”
Stepping Away
Despite loving the business, O’Regan is stepping away in September because she is pregnant.
She says it was a very hard decision to make but it will be too much to maintain operations with a toddler and newborn.
“I knew that for my own self-care, for the health of my family, it would be best to pass on the diaper bank to a successor,” explains O’Regan.
A woman in Fredericton is moving to Dartmouth in the new year and will take over.
“I feel really good that the diaper bank will be in the hands of someone who has experience and she’s motivated and eager,” says O’Regan. “She’s super friendly. She values the diaper bank needs. She’s just going to be an amazing fit.”
Starting September 5, the diaper bank will be paused, and when it returns it will be under new leadership, that has O’Regan’s full support.
“I think it’s just going to be fantastic. I look forward to seeing what happens.”
