United Way of Skagit County

Diaper Bank - In July 2021, United Way of Skagit County launched our Diaper Bank to address a hidden crisis affecting rural families: diaper need. When parents cannot afford diapers, they face impossible choicesstretching soiled diapers longer than safe, missing work or school to stay home with children, or going without other essentials.Our Diaper Bank operates as critical infrastructure for family stability, just like food banks address hunger. Through our network of community partners, we ensure that geographic isolation and limited transportation (common barriers in rural areas) don't prevent families from accessing this basic necessity. Our two-generation approach recognizes that when children have their fundamental needs met, parents can focus on building economic security through education and employment.Impact: In 2024-2025, we distributed 314,108 diapers and 3,615 wipes, directly supporting rural families during their most vulnerable moments and creating pathways to long-term stability.

Dolly Parton Imagination Library - Rural children often start kindergarten behind their urban peers due to limited access to quality early childhood resources. The Dolly Parton's Imagination Library directly addresses this disparity by delivering high-quality, age-appropriate books directly to children's homes each month from birth to age five.This program is particularly vital for rural families who may live far from libraries or bookstores. By mailing books directly to enrolled children, we eliminate transportation barriers while creating excitement around reading and learning. Each delivery strengthens the parent-child bond through shared reading experiences and builds the foundation for lifelong learning success.Impact: In 2024-2025, we served 1,880 children throughout Skagit County's rural communities, ensuring that zip code doesn't determine a child's access to early literacy opportunities.