Raising Awareness
Healthy Steps is on a mission to empower families and individuals throughout South Central PA to thrive by providing a reliable and adequate source of diapers and feminine hygiene products.
1 in 2 families struggle to buy diapers and 2 in 5 people struggle to purchase period products. These numbers are heart breaking! Without a sufficient supply of diapers, parents are forced to keep their babies in diapers longer than is healthy for a child or even to reuse diapers. Without a sufficient supply of feminine hygiene products, menstruators are not able to participate fully in daily life. This needs to change!
Neither SNAP or WIC can be used to purchase diapers, pads, or tampons leaving many people without a way to get the essential products they desperately need for themselves or their loved ones. Healthy Steps Diaper Bank has been working tirelessly to end diaper need in South Central PA since we were founded in 2013 by Susan Speese, and we expanded in 2021 to include fighting period poverty. We believe everyone deserves to be clean, dry, and healthy.
Our Impact
Every month we distribute over 50,000 diapers and 6,400 period products to families and individuals residing in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Perry, and York counties.
2024 Data
– Distributed 602,060 diapers to 2,873 unique children from 2,335 families.
– Distributed 77,483 period products (15% increase from 2023).
– Welcomed 425 unique volunteers who donated 1,791 hours 386 volunteer sessions. (10% increase in number of unique volunteers over 2023.)
– Partnered with 31 family service agencies to get the diapers and period products into the hands of people who need them while reducing transportation constraints and increasing opportunities for whole solutions.
– Provided 2 free healthy diapering training classes.
– Hosted First Lady Lori Shapiro and Human Services Secretary Vlaerie Arkoosh at our site.
Board and Staff
2024-2025 Board of Directors
Carla Miller, President & Treasurer
Nikki Shanahan, Vice-President
Sandy Gates – Secretary
Jen Campbell – Treasurer
Alison Beck
Candace Scalese
Kim Macut
Marie Carson
Sue Sweigard
Healthy Steps Staff
Amanda Barnes – Executive Director
Rebecca Cason – Program Director
Danica Storry – Finance Director
