Nearly one in two U.S. families with young children struggles to afford enough diapers, according to the National Diaper Bank Network.
That reality is driving the Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council’s upcoming Diaper Drive, where members will collect essential supplies for local families during their May 19 meeting at The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage. Donations will benefit Babies Need Bottoms, a Western North Carolina nonprofit that distributes diapers through community partnerships while also working to raise awareness around gaps in access.
“As a council of the Builders Association of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we prioritize supporting housing in our region,” says Allison Hopkins, a PWB member and Account Representative with The Sherwin-Williams Company. “When people in our community have to choose between paying their rent and buying essentials for their kids, that shows us a clear connection between housing security and necessities like diapers.”
Where Connection Turns Into Action
Now nearly 80 members strong, the PWB brings together women from across the residential construction industry, from electricians and project managers to designers and marketing professionals. Some members are just getting started in their careers, while others have spent decades in the field. What they share is the experience of working in an industry where women are still underrepresented.
“Finding community with women in the construction industry has been empowering and inspiring,” says Hopkins. “Our membership is a reminder of how far women in this industry have come—and how far we still have to go.”
That common ground shapes how the group gathers. Meetings are equal parts practical and personal. Members trade job site stories, share contacts, and talk through challenges that don’t always get acknowledged elsewhere.
That sense of connection doesn’t stay in the room, though. The council has also made a point to show up in the community, including through volunteer efforts with Transformation Village, where members have prepared meals and spent time with women and families working toward stability.
The diaper drive is a natural extension of that outreach. For many families in WNC, diapers are a steady, unavoidable expense, running $70 to $100 per month per child. Because they are not covered by most federal assistance programs, the burden falls entirely on parents and caregivers.
“It’s very fulfilling for us to partner with organizations serving our community,” says Hopkins. “It’s an honor to give back, and we love being able to plug in to resources that are already meeting our neighbors’ needs.”
Bring a Pack, Make an Impact
The Diaper Drive will take place during the PWB Council’s monthly meeting on May 19 at The Mule at Devil’s Foot Beverage. Attendees are encouraged to bring unopened packages of diapers in any size. Donations collected during the meeting will go directly to Babies Need Bottoms to support families across Western North Carolina.
Those interested in attending can register here: https://members.bablueridge.com/events/details/pwb-diaper-drive-monthly-meeting-5562
