For the fifth year in a row, Salinas Valley Health is showing that caring for families doesn’t stop at the hospital door.
Employees and community members came together this May — Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month — for the health system’s annual Diaper Drive, collecting more than 3,100 diapers to be distributed to families across Monterey County through the Salinas Valley Health Mobile Clinic.
It’s a need that’s bigger than many people realize. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in two U.S. families struggles to afford enough diapers to keep their baby clean, dry and healthy. That kind of financial pressure adds up fast — and for new and expecting parents already navigating sleepless nights and postpartum stress, it can take a real toll on mental health.
“Many families are faced with the difficult decision of purchasing diapers or food,” said Julie Vasher, DNP, RN, director of Women & Children’s Services at Salinas Valley Health. “We hope to alleviate the diaper-related anxiety some families experience and are humbled by the generosity of our colleagues and community.”
The diapers will reach families through the SVH Mobile Clinic, which regularly serves medically underserved communities throughout the region with free primary and preventive care, plus social support resources.
The drive was started by Salinas Valley Health nurses in 2022 — and since then, it’s helped thousands of local families while drawing attention to something pediatricians and maternal health advocates have long understood: when basic needs go unmet, everything else gets harder. Diaper access isn’t just about keeping babies comfortable — it affects infant health, parental stress levels, and families’ ability to maintain work and childcare routines.
“Every diaper donated represents support for a local family,” said Allen Radner, MD, President and CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “I am grateful to our Perinatal Team, employees and community members who continue to make this effort such a meaningful success.”
Salinas Valley Health is a Baby-Friendly designated hospital, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting mothers, infants and families through every stage of the parenting journey.
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