There is nothing like a challenge to homerooms during Homecoming Week to elicit a big response. That’s what Saint Viator juniors Meredith Kay and Liliana Greco found out earlier this month when they hosted a diaper drive for the Chicago-based organization, Share Our Spare. In a little more than a week, they collected more than 42,000 diapers.
Saint Viator students sort through diaper donations.
“The response from Saint Viator and the surrounding community was incredibly meaningful,” Meredith says. “Families, students and community members came together to support Liliana and me and help make this diaper drive a success.”
The stated mission of Share Our Spare is to ensure that every Chicago area child, ages 0-5, has the essential items they need to support their health and development, and equip them for a strong start. Diapers, in particular, are at the top of the list. According to their statistics:
- 65,000 children in Cook County are experiencing poverty
- 1 in 2 Chicagoland families struggle to afford diapers
- Diapers can represent 14% of take-home income for a parent earning minimum wage
- Diaper need is the #1 stressor for moms, above housing or food insecurity
The organization’s mission and the dire need for diapers resonated with Meredith and Liliana.
Inside Share Our Spare’s Sharehouse
“We wanted to collect items that families truly need and make a difference in their lives,” Liliana says. “We also thought it would be a great opportunity to involve our school community and other Catholic grade schools in helping local families.”
As part of their drive, the girls visited Share Our Spare’s warehouse, or Sharehouse as they call it, where they sorted through their diaper donations but they also saw firsthand the depth of the agency’s services for young families.
“The organization also collects baby and children’s items that other families no longer need and makes them available to families who can use them,” Meredith says. “We think this is a great way to support families, help children and bring the community together.”
Before organizing their drive, the juniors pitched the idea to their principal, Dr. Erika Mickelburgh, who gave them her approval. She also allowed them to present the idea to a meeting of principals of area Catholic schools. They wound up drawing six of the schools to participate by holding diaper drives of their own, including Immaculate Conception School in Elmhurst, Our Lady of the Wayside School in Arlington Heights, St. Paul of the Cross School in Park Ridge, and Queen of All Saints, St. Elizabeth of the Trinity and St. Juliana, all in Chicago.
Dr. Mickelburgh said she was happy to support the students and their commitment to helping local families. She added that Meredith and Liliana exemplify the school’s mission of faith, service and community.
“Their project demonstrated incredible initiative and dedication,” Dr. Mickelburgh said. “They didn’t just set up a drive, they thoughtfully expanded their reach by bringing in local Catholic grade schools to amplify the impact.
“Their passion for serving families in need and their ability to inspire others to act reflect the heart of our Viatorian values,” she added. “I am so proud of their leadership and the way they put their faith into action. ”
Seeing the overwhelming response has given these students increased confidence and satisfaction, they said. knowing they not only are helping struggling families but helping to promote the work of Share Our Spare.
“Knowing that our idea can reach more communities and help even more families makes this experience especially meaningful to us,” Liliana says. “We hope to continue growing this initiative and encourage more schools and families to get involved with Share Our Spare.”
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