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GREENFIELD, Mass. - The United Way of Franklin & Hampshire Region is hoping their annual diaper drive will aid families who may be struggling to purchase childcare supplies.

The nonprofit is hosting the drive out of 27 locations between the two counties. Program manager Jenny Coeur ​said the diapers are distributed to 15 different agencies including the Easthampton Community Center and the CNC Children's Closet where they are then given to families in need.​

Coeur said the diaper shortage has been an issue for years but has gotten worse since the pandemic. She said one in three families with young children are struggling to provide basic childcare needs and it’s a larger problem because many daycares and preschools require families to provide disposable diapers for their kids to be able to attend their programs.

"If families aren't able to buy diapers this means their kids are losing out on childcare or educational opportunities," said Coeur. "Parents might not be able to get to work if their kids are not able to attend these programs."

Coeur said the drive will run until the end of August. She said larger diapers as well as pull up ones are preferred and they also accept opened boxes as long as they're clean.