Guest Blog Post: Local High School Students Partner with the Jackie Speier Foundation to Organize Diaper Drive
Guest post by the Jackie Speier Foundation (a Designated Fund at PVF) originally posted on jackiespeierfoundation.org.
PVF loves to hear from grantees, partner organizations, teachers and designated funds about their work and experiences. Read a guest blog from the Jackie Speier Foundation, about their recent diaper drive!
A group of students from Westmoor High School are organizing a diaper drive in Daly City in collaboration with the Jackie Speier Foundation to help families with young children who are facing poverty. The event will take place at the Westlake Community Center on Sunday, September 22nd, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. At 1:30 pm there will be a press conference where former Congresswoman Jackie Speier will speak alongside Daly City Councilwoman Teresa Proano, student organizers, child poverty advocates, and families that have been impacted by poverty.
In April of 2024, former Congresswoman Jackie Speier was invited to Westmoor High School as a guest speaker. Rep. Speier (retd.) called upon students to become leaders in the fight against poverty in their local communities and highlighted how social activism begins by addressing issues close to home. Following her inspiring speech, a group of students, including high school juniors Juleen Mallari, Taylor Lam, Charlotte Tsang, and Madison Yu, reached out to the Jackie Speier Foundation to seek opportunities to make an impact.
These students, driven by a strong sense of community, recognized the growing struggles of local families who are unable to afford necessities, particularly diapers. Diapers are essential for the health and well-being of infants and toddlers, but for families living in poverty, the cost can be prohibitive. The average family spends between $70 and $80 per month on diapers per child, a cost that adds up quickly for families with multiple children. Low-income families are often forced to make difficult choices between buying diapers and paying for other essentials like food and rent. It’s estimated that nearly 1 in 2 families in the U.S. experiences diaper need (National Diaper Bank Network). Additionally, California’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) does not cover the cost of diapers, which can run upwards of $1000 a year.
The Westmoor students partnered with staff from the Jackie Speier Foundation and First 5 San Mateo County to assess the most pressing needs of families with young children. Through conversations with local non-profits and social services, they learned that many under-resourced families—particularly young mothers—often rely on donations from community organizations to provide diapers for their children. The JSF Student Diaper Drive was developed in response to these findings.
Over the course of the summer, the students, along with local public servants and change-makers, worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the issue of diaper insecurity in their community.
“We live in the wealthiest county in the state of California, yet thousands of families are unable to afford the basic needs that they deserve,” said Juleen Mallari, one of the student organizers. “No parent should have to choose between food and diapers.”
The students hope the diaper drive will serve as a reminder that even small acts of support can make a significant difference in the lives of families in need. Community members are encouraged to donate unopened packs of diapers or contribute financially to help alleviate the burden for struggling families. To learn more about the JSF Student Diaper Drive and diaper insecurity, follow @jsfdiaperdrive on Instagram or contact the Jackie Speier Foundation.
