Today we’d like to introduce you to Holly McDaniel.
Hi, Holly. We’re so excited to have you on the platform. Before we ask about your work life, you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
“What else can I do to help?” was a phrase I heard consistently growing up in a small midwestern community. Supporting neighbors and our community is part of my culture and family history. Now, as the Executive Director of the Austin Diaper Bank, I can help the larger community with basic needs and support those in poverty. At the Austin Diaper Bank, we provide diapers, wipes, and period supplies to families who struggle to afford them. Each year, we distribute over 2 million supplies to 35,000 families who live in poverty. Nearly 47% of families in Central Texas struggle to afford enough diapers for their babies each month. We work to make diapers accessible and free to anyone who needs them so their children stay clean, dry, and healthy. Without access to basic needs and clean diapers, families face continued illness, isolation, and a lack of social support. Though diapers seem small, they play a large part in keeping families healthy and productive in our community. Growing up in a small community where poverty was high, the small things made the largest impact. A meal, an offer to pick up children from school, and even a simple gesture of kindness can impact a person in the most magical ways. As we work to uplift families with diapers, I remember the kindness neighbors show each other and treat each person who needs our help with the love and respect they deserve.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Working at the intersection of poverty and basic needs has its challenges. Changing the narrative of basic needs to include diapers and hygiene items is slow but essential work. Every parent wants to provide the best for their children and keep them clean. When diapers are scarce, families reuse disposable diapers, wrap babies in t-shirts and towels, and sometimes go without them. This leads to embarrassment and shame. Our mission is to provide diapers, elevate family’s stories, and share with them that they are not alone and we are here to help. Even when money is tight, they know they will have diapers for their babies to keep them clean and healthy. Every day, we work to eliminate the shame of diaper poverty and ask each mom and parent, what else can we do to help?
I appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Austin Diaper Bank?
The Austin Diaper Bank has provided diapers and wipes to the community since 2013. We work with 40 agencies across Central Texas to provide diapers, wipes, and period supplies to impoverished families. No federal or state program currently provides these essential items, making our work more critical than ever.
In 2023, the Austin Diaper Bank played a pivotal role in advocating for the removal of sales tax on essential family care items in Texas. One key initiative was House Bill 300, filed by Representative Donna Howard, which aimed to alleviate financial burdens for families by exempting certain products from sales tax.
Starting September 1, 2023, Texas families can now purchase diapers, baby wipes, period supplies, and other essential family care items without the burden of sales tax. This change not only eases financial strain but also underscores the importance of community-driven initiatives in shaping policy decisions that directly impact people’s lives.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Being willing to fail is crucial when starting and running a nonprofit. The most significant progress we have seen at the Austin Diaper Bank is when we have researched, explored every option, and then leap the next step. Through collaboration and support from the community, we have been able to try new ways of expanding, and not all have had the outcomes we intended. However, from each experience, we learned more about the community and our capacity to grow and serve.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.austindiapers.org
- Instagram: austindiaperbank
- Facebook: austindiaperbank
- Twitter: austindiaperbank
