About Babycycle
Babycycle is community Diaper Bank that serves low-income children ages 0-12. Its mission is for no child to go without necessities like diapers, wipes, clean clothing, and other basic items. Leaving children in dirty diapers not only affects their physical health, but also their emotional well-being. The inability to provide their children with a sufficient supply of diapers also negatively affects the mental and emotional health of parents. Statistics show that one in three parents struggle to provide their children with the needed amount of clean diapers causing children to sit in unclean diapers for extended periods of time, placing them at high risk for severe diaper rash and infections.
Diapers are not covered by any government assistance programs, even though diapers are a necessity for EVERY child. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, without diapers, babies cannot participate in early childhood education programs. Without child care, parents cannot go to work.
About the Founder: Torrie Jasuwan
Torrie Jasuwan started Babycycle when her two children started outgrowing their clothes and baby gear. Looking at the piles of barely used baby items, she tried to find somewhere to take them that went directly to children in need. Overwhelmed by calling numerous organizations who only had a need for one or two of the items she had, she saw the need for a charitable organization which could distribute all baby items to the community organizations that needed them most. Now, in 2020, Babycycle served over 120,000 children in the Tampa Bay area and distributed over 544,142 packages of diapers and wipes through partner agencies.
Distribution of Items
Babycycle distributes directly to partner agencies, all which serve local low-income families. Once per month, partner agencies request the sizes and number of diapers needed. During shopping days, partner agencies are able to “shop” for items such as wipes, formula, baby food, new/gently used baby and children’s clothing, cribs, pack-n-plays, strollers, car seats, high chairs, toiletries, infant bathtubs, breast pumps, bottles, children’s books, diaper bags, etc.
Disaster Relief: Babycycle also prepares for relief if and when it is needed. Items that are always needed during hurricane relief are: toiletries, toothbrushes/toothpaste, women’s hygiene supplies, diapers, wipes, paper towels, and toilet paper.
Diaper/Other Item Donations:
There is always a need for diapers in all sizes, wipes and Pull Ups in sizes 2T/3T, 3T/4T, and 4T/5T as well as:
- Formula (any brand) and/or baby food (unopened)
- Children’s clothing (new or gently used)
- Pack-n-plays/cribs/toddler beds (new or gently used)
- Diaper Bags (new or gently used)
- Strollers or baby carriers (new or gently used)
- Bath soap/shampoo
- Baby and/or children’s blankets (new)
- Adult Diapers
- Period supplies
Drop-Off Locations
Babycycle has relationships with the following businesses in Pinellas County and donations are currently being accepted at the following locations during their regular business hours.
Arnold Jewelers– 12293 Seminole Blvd., Largo, FL 33778
AquaStone Nails & Spa– 411 S Belcher Rd, Clearwater, FL 33765
Fidelity National Title– 5721 4th Street N, St Petersburg, FL 33703 or 1155 Pasadena Ave S, South Pasadena, FL 33707
Northeast Pediatrics-431 Southwest Blvd N, St Petersburg, FL 33703
Thank You Mama-1511 4th Street N, St Petersburg, FL 33704
Stewart Title– 4134 Central Ave, St Petersburg, FL 33711
How to Help:
-Make an item donation at either a drop off location listed above during the year or call Babycycle for a pickup.
-Host a diaper drive. A diaper drive is when someone picks a certain amount of days and encourages their followers, friends & family, businesses or coworkers to donate diapers and wipes.
-Check their Facebook page under the Events Tab for upcoming events to participate in or contact them to volunteer.
Every year during National Diaper Need Awareness week (September 27 – October 3, 2021) Babycycle reaches out to local businesses to see if they’d become new drop-off locations during that week. This helps spread awareness of diaper need but reaches a much wider audience of people looking to donate.
