For many families across North Carolina, having enough diapers is a daily struggle. But a partnership between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (Blue Cross NC) and the Diaper Bank of North Carolina aims to help families meet this basic need while also connecting them to vital local health resources.

“One in two families experience diaper need,” says Michelle Shafer, founder and CEO of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.

Diapers are a primary need for many families on Medicaid because diapers are not covered by the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and, Shafer says, “can be quite costly.”

As Blue Cross NC representatives held listening sessions with community organizations across the state, a recurring theme was that diapers and wipes were among the biggest immediate needs for families. There has been a 400% increase in diaper requests since the Covid-19 pandemic began, according to the Diaper Bank.

“This initiative is one of the many ways Healthy Blue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina's Medicaid managed care plan, is working to expand access to care and community-based resources that support Drivers of Health,” says Logan Albertson, a member of the Blue Cross NC County Engagement Team.

Blue Cross NC has experienced meaningful results through partnering with the Diaper Bank across North Carolina. Last year, Medicaid families in 24 counties received diapers and were linked to community health organizations offering support they hadn’t known about.

This project educated families on Medicaid Expansion and Healthy Blue and connected them with local resources such as Partnership for Children organizations, departments of social services agencies, and local health departments.

“This is one of the most important pieces of what we do,” says Albertson.

In 2024, Blue Cross NC employees helped distribute more than 3,253 packs of diapers and wipes – totaling more than 80,000 diapers – across 24 counties in six Medicaid regions that span all 100 counties statewide.

The project has expanded in 2025 to reach more families, including tribal communities, with a goal to distribute 3,800 packs of diapers by the end of the year. 

To date, the team has completed 32 events, distributing 3,065 packs of diapers and wipes across 30 North Carolina counties and the Qualla Boundary. Two more events are scheduled before the end of the month, which will bring another 195 packs of diapers and wipes to families.

“Families are struggling at an alarming rate in this area, especially with basic necessities like diapers and wipes for their children,” says Sunny Parks with the Swain County Parents as Teachers program. “Thank you again for partnering with us. You are a blessing.”

Diaper Bank of North Carolina’s Shafer says that when corporations often partner with her nonprofit agency, they will donate money yet Blue Cross NC expands beyond that. “Blue Cross NC is working alongside us when we go out into communities to donate items, identify gaps where we can proactively help families in other ways, and also donate funds as needs arise.”

“We are living our purpose to ensure we meet our neighbors’ needs in a more sustainable way by connecting them with existing community services,” Albertson says.