Bend Diaper Bank providing menstrual items to schools

The Rebecca Foundation had its grand opening of Bend’s first hybrid diaper bank on Feb. 3. Within the first 30 days, the Bend Diaper Bank has provided 750 disposables and 180 cloth diapers to local children in need.

The Bend Diaper Bank has now expanded services to provide single-use and reusable menstrual items to local students and individuals in need.

After learning that local administrators and teachers were purchasing items from their own pockets, founder Amanda La Bell took action to ensure that students have access to pads when needed and teachers no longer have to personally provide them. “Teachers already do so much for our children. I am thankful that along with providing education they are thinking of their personal needs… However, the diaper bank has the resources and the ability to provide these items on a monthly basis to area middle and high schools.”

With the assistance of parent liaison volunteers for area Bend-La Pine middle and high schools, the diaper bank has distributed over 800 menstrual pads in 10 days. Each month, we will provide pads to each middle and high school so that no student feels ashamed or embarrassed for not having menstrual items and teachers have one less worry.

Donations of opened or unopened pads and tampons are accepted at the Diaper Bank located at Pure Light: A Family Health Studio, 497 SW Century Drive, Suite 120 and Babyphases, 759 NE Greenwood Ave. Monetary donations are accepted via http://clothforall.com or facebook.com/benddiaperbank

About The Rebecca Foundation: TRF is a community volunteer organization created by Rebecca Vaughn and Amanda La Bell in Maryville, TN in 2012. Rebecca was only 9 years old at the time she approached her mother, Amanda, wishing to help her local community and struggling parents with sustainable options of cloth diapers. Rebecca became aware of the impact that diaper need had on her own family especially her little sister and how it became alleviated through the use of cloth diapers. Since that time the organization has relocated its headquarters to Bend, OR and has grown to over 100 community-based chapters in cities and counties across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Servicing all struggling families with cloth diapers no matter where they are located through their “Ship a Box of Love” program. Learn more about The Rebecca Foundation online at http://clothforall.com