Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank Provides Essential Support to Families

Nonprofit organization helps address diaper needs for 1-in-3 families unable to afford them

Apr. 12, 2026 at 2:06pm

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A soft, blurred photograph showing the silhouette of a parent cradling a baby, with the background a hazy wash of warm colors and light, conveying a sense of intimacy and care.The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank's mission to provide essential supplies to families in need reflects the tender care and support that every child deserves.Today in Pittsburgh

The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank, founded in 2012, is a nonprofit organization that provides diapers and other essential supplies to families in need throughout the Pittsburgh region. Cathy Battle and her husband, Pastor Phillip Battle Jr., started the organization after learning that many families struggle to afford the high cost of diapers, which can be a significant financial burden on top of other childcare expenses.

Why it matters

Access to diapers is a critical need that often goes overlooked, but can have far-reaching impacts on families. Without diapers, parents may be unable to go to work or send their children to daycare or school, leading to further financial and social challenges. The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank aims to alleviate this burden and support the overall wellbeing of families in the community.

The details

The Battles learned about the diaper need in their community through an after-school program run by Phillip. When he asked the parents and grandparents what they needed most, they unanimously responded 'diapers.' This inspired the Battles to get involved with a national movement to raise awareness about the issue and eventually establish the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank. Their research found that 1-in-3 families are unable to afford diapers, which can cost between $100-$120 per month per child. Without access to diapers, families may face difficult choices, such as a parent not going to work or an older sibling missing school, leading to further social and financial challenges.

  • The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank was founded in 2012.
  • The organization is hosting a diaper drive on April 18, 2026 at a Walmart in Carnegie, Pennsylvania from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The players

Cathy Battle

Co-founder of the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank.

Phillip Battle Jr.

Co-founder of the Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank and a pastor.

Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank

A nonprofit organization that provides diapers and other essential supplies to families in need throughout the Pittsburgh region.

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What they’re saying

“It actually got started with [Phillip], he was working in an after-school program with some mothers and grandmothers, and he just asked the question, 'What is it we can do for you that no one else is doing?' They all said 'diapers' in one voice.”

— Cathy Battle, Co-founder, Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank

“Because of that, that could mean that mom doesn't go to work, or that the older sibling doesn't go to school. That means the child in the family who needs the diapers isn't socialized in the family, because who wants to play with 'Stinky Sally?' That means that the child is inadvertently traumatized and is antisocial. It starts a pathway to other difficulties in life. So, when we solve that problem for families, they're uplifted in more ways than one.”

— Phillip Battle Jr., Co-founder, Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank

What’s next

The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank is hosting a diaper drive on April 18, 2026 at a Walmart in Carnegie, Pennsylvania from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. where community members can donate diapers and other essential supplies.

The takeaway

The Western Pennsylvania Diaper Bank's work highlights the significant impact that access to diapers can have on families, addressing a critical need that is often overlooked. By providing diapers and other essential supplies, the organization is helping to uplift families in the Pittsburgh region and support their overall wellbeing.