BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - - Following the mass shooting at the Jefferson Opportunity Tops Friendly Markets on May 14 last year, a diaper and health drive was started to assist those in Buffalo's East Side community. The drive raised products for 8 months' worth of supplies for those who utilize Every Bottom Covered, an organization that assists those in requirement of diapers, which aren't covered under food stamps or breeze advantages.

In 2015, the drive supported Every Bottom Covered - - a regional not-for-profit that began 2016 in Raziya Hill's living-room. Hill was a single parent who experienced diaper requirements for her child 19 years back.

" It's just a really hopeless feeling that I hope no parent needs to deal with, but when they do, I like to believe that I'm starting and trying to be some aid to them," Hill stated. "Parents can spend as much as $80 or $100 a month to purchase diapers, and if they're already struggling to make ends meet, that is really a heavy burden."

Hill discussed how the drive assisted the East Side neighborhood in a time of requirement.

" We were able to take resources right out to the community on Jefferson, and we produced a lot of collaborations from that time, so I like to believe we tried to turn an awful occasion into something at some level of hope," she stated. "In our neighborhood, we need hope.

Every Bottom Covered now serves 3 counties, helping 750 households a month through their department agencies.

This year, the yearly WNY for Hope Diaper and Hygiene Drive will help Every Bottom Covered, as well as Home Beneath Our Feet - - a not-for-profit on the East Side assisting those from age 7 through high school age to discover life lessons and grow their skills through nature and gardening.

Home Beneath Our Feet was founded 3 years ago by Dwight Lowe. Hygiene items contributed to the drive will straight assist the nonprofit.

Lowe stated that hygiene is the fundamental element to helping youth throughout Home Beneath Our Feet, but it is also developed to construct self-confidence and make participants comfortable in aiming towards their objectives.

" Before we grow we make sure the soil is conditioned enough for the plant that's required for it to grow. At the exact same time, for ourselves we need to make certain that our environment is set for us to grow too," Lowe said. "For us, being an asset to the community and helping influence those to reduce the criminal offense rate, to aid with food insecurities - - that's what it's everything about."

Kate Glaser, the founder of Hope Rises stated it's essential to keep the occasion going every year to assist the regional neighborhoods.

" Things we benefit from that we can quickly buy at the shop, are not as available as some people think," she said. "We wished to make it not just a one-time drive, however really a yearly thing, where we really have a lasting influence on these communities."

Glaser also informed News 4 some of the items the drive is seeking to receive, including:

• Diapers




Wipes




Feminine health products




Deodorant




Socks




Shampoo



• Conditioner

Highmark Vice President of Community Affairs Michael Ball also talked about the requirement for supplies.

" With the grocery store being closed, it was incredibly difficult for individuals in the neighborhood to get the products they required - - especially those who have young families," he stated. "It actually exposed the difficulties that lots of people in our community have every day."

Donations will be accepted at all Delta Sonic corner store locations in WNY until May 8th, in addition to at Carte Blanche, Hamburg Brewing, and Buffalo Balloon Co.

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Hope Winter is a press reporter and multimedia journalist who has become part of the News 4 group because 2021. See more of her work here.