Basic Necessities was recently awarded a national Funds for Change grant via a competitive application process organized by the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN) and the Alliance for Period Supplies.
The local nonprofit organization will use the $10,000.00 grant to open a full-service diaper and period products bank at 2620 Centenary Boulevard in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 1, 2021. Qualified clients will now be able to pick up supplies at the new location, or request deliveries if they do not have access to transportation. Donors may drop off unopened packages of diapers, menstrual products, and incontinence supplies for distribution to clients in need.
Basic Necessities is the only nationally-recognized diaper and period products bank serving the ArkLaTex. They began serving clients in June 2020, and is the
first time they have received general operating support through the NDBN.
“NDBN is comprised of hundreds of diaper banks and period supply programs, all providing invaluable service to their communities,” said Joanne Samuel Goldblum, CEO of NDBN and the Alliance for Period Supplies. “Our Funds for Change program grows more competitive every year. Basic Necessities stands out as a well-run organization committed to helping individuals, children and families get the basic necessities they require to reach their full potential.”
To earn a Funds for Change grant, a basic needs bank must match the award amount with contributions raised in its own community.
“We are so grateful to the NDBN/Alliance for Period Supplies and to our supporters right here in the ArkLaTex who have helped us match the grant,” said Debbie Hollis and Pam Rowell, Co-Directors. “In the past year, Basic Necessities Board members and volunteers went above and beyond to meet our community’s need in these extraordinary times. Because of the help we received nationally and here at home, we were able to distribute over 31,400 diapers and over 20,000 menstrual products to people in need during our first year in operation.”
The mission of Basic Necessities is to provide diapers, period products & incontinence supplies free of charge to people in need in the ArkLaTex. Learn more about Basic Necessities at www.BasicNecessitiesLA.com.
About the National Diaper Bank Network: The National Diaper Bank Network leads (NDBN) a nationwide movement dedicated to helping individuals, children and families access the basic necessities they require to thrive and reach their full potential - including clean, dry diapers, period supplies and other basic needs. Launched in 2011 with the support of founding sponsor Huggies®, NDBN is dedicated to creating awareness, providing assistance and building community to #EndDiaperNeed in the US. Its active membership includes more than 225 diaper banks, diaper pantries, and food banks serving local communities in all 50 US states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. More information on NDBN and diaper need is available at nationaldiaperbanknetwork.org, and on Twitter (@DiaperNetwork), Instagram (@DiaperNetwork) and Facebook (facebook.com/NationalDiaperBankNetwork).
About the Alliance for Period Supplies: The Alliance for Period Supplies is an initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network (NDBN). Launched in May 2018, with the support of founding sponsor U by Kotex, the Alliance for Period Supplies raises national awareness of period poverty (#periodpoverty) and supports the development and expansion of period supply programs in communities throughout the country. The organization is comprised of more than 115 Allied Programs that collect, warehouse and distribute period supplies in local communities. More information on Alliance for Period Supplies is available at allianceforperiodsupplies.org, and on Twitter (@PeriodSupplies), Instagram (@PeriodSupplies) and Facebook (facebook.com/AllianceForPeriodSupplies).
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