NEW ORLEANS — Plush Appeal, the parent company of the Mardi Gras Spot, has announced it is partnering with the Junior League of New Orleans to host a diaper drive during National Diaper Need Awareness Week. Starting Monday, Sept. 27, shoppers are invited to bring diapers and supplies to the Mardi Gras Spot to support families and caregivers across the region in need of supplies. Those who participate will receive a gift in addition to an exclusive store discount.
“Diaper need is a huge source of stress for new parents, so we are thankful for the opportunity to help out in any way we can,” says Alyssa Fletchinger Higgins, vice president of Plush Appeal LLC and mother of three. “Diapers and wipes can be so expensive and a lack of access to diapers, especially in the wake of a storm like Hurricane Ida, can lead to a lot of different health issues for little ones.”
Across America, one in three mothers doesn’t have enough diapers to keep their child clean, dry and healthy. It’s also common to see an increased shortage of diapers and necessary supplies leading up to, and following a disaster such as Hurricane Ida. Diaper need has a profound and complex impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of children and their caregivers, and health risks include rashes and urinary tract infections.
In the past year alone, JLNO has donated over half a million diapers to families across New Orleans through donation drives with organizations such as Plush Appeal.
Plush Appeal is accepting donations at its retail store at 2812 Toulouse Street from Monday, Sept. 27 to Saturday, Oct. 2. The store is open and accepting donations from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Donors will receive a $5 discount off a same-day purchase of $25 or more, in addition to a free glitter gel.
In addition to unused disposable diapers of any size, type or brand, the donation site at the Mardi Gras Spot will be accepting unopened and unused wipes and diaper creams. Opened packages of unused disposable diapers will be accepted if the size is labeled. All donations will be distributed through the Junior League of New Orleans’ Diaper Bank, which has helped families access the supplies they need since 2014.