During the COVID-19 pandemic, the TXDB transformed our delivery system to continue servicing our community while keeping clients and staff safe. While the home delivery model has successfully met the needs of our clients, particularly those without access to transportation, diapers have become the latest pandemic shortage.
Pre-pandemic, 1 in 3 families struggled with diaper need. Still, in 2021, families struggle to afford diapers as supply chain issues and rising costs disproportionately affect low-income communities.
The TXDB is hiring a Resource Fulfillment Specialist to help inventory and package supplies and deliver supplies to our clients. With another team member to help deliver supplies to our clients, the TXDB can meet the needs of more community members at greater distances.
The TXDB is excited for the upcoming new year and hopes to expand our services to more surrounding counties in 2022.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, TXDB never closed its doors or turned away families seeking assistance. Instead, staff quickly adapted to the constantly changing situation while closely adhering to all CDC safety guidelines.
When store shelves were left bare at the height of panic buying, TXDB maintained constant contact with manufacturers and distributors. Through these connections, TXDB was able to procure enough supplies to meet growing local demand and the rise in requests for goods from the organization's 40 partner agencies. In addition to diapers, wipes, period products, and other healthcare items, TXDB procured limited quantities of cleaning supplies. These were distributed to low-income families, particularly those with small children and elderly at home.
Flexibility, adaptability, and creative solutions meant TXDB overcame obstacles thrown in its way. In 2020, TXDB provided unimpeded access to healthcare supplies for 75,000 individuals.
Just as families started to get back on their feet, Winter Storm Uri blasted Texas in February 2021, causing power and water outages statewide. TXDB immediately began delivering diapers, wipes, incontinence supplies, and period products to San Antonio warming centers. Additionally, TXDB hosted drive-through distributions of the items mentioned above and hygiene items such as soaps and shampoos, socks, blankets, along with adult and children's winter coats. Throughout the storm and its aftermath, TXDB impacted 12,450 individuals, distributing 128,000 diapers, 1,750 winter coats, and 600 hygiene kits.
Texas faces a lengthy recovery period from the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri. TXDB is dedicated to assisting families as they find their feet again. Families will need assistance in the months, and possibly years, ahead as they rebuild their lives.
As many have seen, Texas has experienced a great amount of loss and tragedy. On top of a pandemic, the winter storm that hit the state of Texas is a public health crisis. With power outages, loss of water, and no heat, many of our clients and individuals in Texas are in need. Many people are clearing store shelves again which means basic need items such as period supplies, diapers, and incontinence supplies are bare.
With the inclement weather, we were not able to get products to our clients as we normally would. Because of that, we are going to see an increased need for product to individuals in San Antonio and its surrounding counties.
To help individuals and families affected byt the storm, as well as the pandeic, we delivered diapers, wipes, and other basic healthcare items to the warming center at the San Antonio Convention Center. Additionally, we had a drive-through distribution event to distribute diapers, incontinence supplies, period products, winter coats, and other items such as shampoo and soap.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, in compliance with CDC regulations to maintain staff and clients' safety, Texas Diaper Bank (TXDB) completely changed its entire delivery system. Previously, diapers, wipes, and other basic healthcare items were distributed in-person at the TXDB office and via partner agencies.
However, as the pandemic continued, TXDB created a contactless home delivery system. Clients now have their diapers, wipes, incontinence products, and period supplies delivered directly to their homes. The new delivery system eliminates the need for clients to travel to the TXDB office. During the pandemic's initial stages, many clients experienced difficulties reaching the office due in part to travel and work restrictions.
TXDB has received positive feedback from clients, who are pleased with the ease of online registration. They appreciate the time saved in traveling to and from the office to pick up their supplies.
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, TXDB transformed its delivery model overnight to meet the needs of the community, while keeping staff and clients safe.
For clients with mobility issues, transportation to pick up the supplies has posed a problem. The current health crisis has heightened awareness of risks associated with groups in public and even public transit. To help keep our community safe, especially the most vulnerable, TXDB’s is implementing a new service delivery model, which eliminates the need for clients to travel to obtain the healthcare products they need to stay healthy. Home deliveries are contactless, yet they provide brief social contact and provide clients with healthcare information and resources to remain healthy.
TXDB has begun testing this new service delivery model with seniors - an extremely vulnerable population. With this new service, seniors receive three months of supply of adult diapers and other incontinence supplies at their homes. This pilot project has been received well by clients with no significant issues.
Our goal is to scale the home delivery model and add a mail delivery model to all three basic needs programs: diapers, incontinence supplies, and feminine products.
"It’s been very difficult for me trying to find diapers and wipes there isn’t much left and without enough money to buy other supplies I’m needing at the moment. Texas Diaper Bank has helped me out with diapers, wipes, and women’s products. This has been very helpful these past months."
Maricela, Texas Diaper Bank client
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