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Local Diaper Bank Steps Up Amid Nationwide Baby Formula Shortage Local Diaper Bank Steps Up Amid Nationwide Baby Formula Shortage

By Mikhala Armstrong

MIKHALA ARMSTRONG: Across the country shelves once filled with baby formula are empty. Instead, those shelves are covered in signs informing customers of the nationwide shortage. More than 40% of formula is out of stock among U.S. retailers according to recent data by Datasembly. CNY Diaper Bank founder Michela Hugo says this is something she was not prepared for.
MICHELA HUGO: It’s a crisis that is very difficult for a lot of us to imagine, and it is a choice no one should have to make
ARMSTRONG: CNY Diaper Bank provides diapers, baby formula, and other baby needs for moms. With the shortage Hugo says they are not able to be an emergency resource for families in need leaving mothers with a tough choice.
HUGO: Buying formula was a hardship for families before the shortage, families again, diaper need and food insecurity go hand and hand so many families are forced to choose between buying one or the other
ARMSTRONG: CNY Diaper Bank offers donation drop off boxes like these for diapers and baby formula but without supply Hugo says these boxes are left empty.
ARMSTRONG: However to help CNY Diaper Bank is increasing their diaper supply.
Hugo says this can help families spend on other needs.
HUGO: When families receive diapers they tell us they’re able to buy more food, they’re able to pay a bill, they’re able to pay for transportation costs, so we know it impacts financially for families.
ARMSTRONG: To speed up production of baby formula, President Joe Biden put into effect the defense production act.
Authorizing flights to import supply from overseas. For Hugo, this is a sign of hope. Hope that she says will put formula in the hands of its partners so CNY Diaper Bank can help families during this crisis as soon as possible.

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (N.C.C. News) — Baby formula is getting harder to find across the United States. The nationwide baby formula shortage left 40% of the top-selling baby formula products out of stock, according to Datasembly, leaving families without one of the essential products for new parents.

CNY Diaper Bank, an organization that provides CNY families with access to supplies like diapers, baby formula, and other needs for babies and toddlers, is also affected by the shortage. Founder Michela Hugo said this is something she did not see coming.

“It’s a crisis that is very difficult for a lot of us to imagine, and it is a choice no one should have to make,” said Hugo.

Once an emergency resource for families in need, CNY Diaper Bank no longer can provide formula without supply.

“It just impacts families in poverty that much more, and it is that much more difficult for them, and we’re in a tough position right now because we’re experiencing the shortage as well…so we don’t have shelves full of formula to distribute,” Hugo said.

Instead, CNY Diaper Bank is stepping up their diaper supply which is not affected by any shortages, to help families in any way they can.

“When families receive diapers, they tell us they’re able to buy more food. They’re able to pay a bill. They’re able to pay for transportation costs, so we know it impacts financially for families,” Hugo said.

President Biden invoked the Defense Production Act to speed up baby formula production and authorized flights to import supplies from overseas. Which, Hugo said, is a sign of hope that will bring the formula to her partners for her to distribute to families who need it.

 

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