On hand to receive a hefty box of donated diapers and baby wipes were Health &
Human Services specialists Katelyn Lent (front left) and Talia Carrillo (front right). Delivering on behalf of NIHD employees were, back row, NIHD’s Oncology Patient Navigator Rosie Graves, CAREshuttle lead driver Larry Cabrera, and Dietary Manager Thomas Warner. Photo by Barbara Laughon/Northern Inyo Healthcare District

 

Northern Inyo Healthcare District employees recently teamed up to help re-stock the shelves of
the Inyo County Diaper Depot.  National statistics show that one in three U.S. families struggle to provide enough diapers to keep a baby or a toddler clean, dry, and healthy. Locally operated by First 5 Inyo County, the Inyo County Diaper Depot offers diapers and wipes to low-income families residing in Inyo County.

Caretakers may pick up a bundle of diapers and wipes once a month per child. Diaper pick-ups
are available in Bishop, Lone Pine, and Independence.  Difficult economic times have increased donation needs for programs like the Diaper Depot. NIHD employees have a history of pulling together to help such community programs. NIHD employees participated in the CASA Giving Tree, donated holiday gifts for the Bishop Care Center residents, hosted food drives for the Salvation Army, and supported Wild Iris Family Counseling and Crisis Center and the Eastern Sierra Cancer Alliance.

Arriving via NIHD’s CAREshuttle, healthcare district employees delivered a large box stuffed with hundreds of diapers and baby wipes to Inyo’s First 5 staff. The delivery occurred on Sept. 30 during National Diaper Need Awareness Week.

First 5 was established in 1999. The group has aimed to build the early childhood systems and
supports needed to ensure Inyo County’s young children are healthy, safe, and ready to succeed.  Among the programs offered are parenting classes, health and development checks, and early reading initiatives.

Northern Inyo Healthcare District has served its communities for more than 75 years. Currently, it features the only labor and delivery services in the Eastern Sierra region. In addition, NIHD offers several healthcare services explicitly directed to children, including its Northern Inyo Associates Pediatrics Clinic and Pediatric Rehabilitation Services. NIHD also sponsors the Bronco Clinic, a school-based health center located at Bishop High School.