FRANKLIN, Wis. — In early 2020, Meagan Johnson started doing some research on diapering. 

“I learned that one in three families in the United States struggle to afford diapers,” Johnson said. “That statistic, as a mom with two kids in diapers at the time, was just devastating to me.”

But in her research, Johnson also discovered something she said she wanted to change.

“I found that most major cities in the United States have a diaper bank,” Johnson said. “Milwaukee had nothing. So, I started it.”

And that’s how the Milwaukee Diaper Mission was born. In the last two years, Johnson said they’ve given more than 560,000 disposable diapers to community organizations to help those in need. 

Now, another organization is getting some much needed help. 

Allie Dorshorst put in her first order with the Milwaukee Diaper Mission in November. 

She’s the basic needs coordinator with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Dean of Students Office. 

She spent a late November day packing up diapers and other items to take to the UWM Food Center and Pantry. 

“We’re getting diapers, sizes newborn through six, I believe, and then we’re getting tampon kits and period kits as well,” Dorshorst said. 

Those are all things Dorshorst said will go toward helping the nearly 1,300 students at UWM who are also parents. 

“A lot of times, student parents will have to choose between buying groceries for the week, or buying diapers,” Dorshorst said. “This gives them the opportunity to have both and not have to choose between two things that are really a human right to have.” 

That, Dorshorst said, can go a long way. 

“They can save a little bit more money and maybe put that towards another expense,” she added. 

Of course, none of it would be possible without donations. 

The Milwaukee Diaper Mission takes donations at spots around the city. You can give money, or even order, and have things delivered right to their warehouse. 

“If we’re able to provide those products, then they’re able to use some of the money they have in their budget to buy other things for their children, like books and clothing and toys and gifts for the holidays,” Johnson said. 

While the holidays and the giving season are on everyone’s mind this time of year, Johnson said it’s always important to remember to help parents through the entire year.