Support drive benefits Triangle's furloughed workers

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. (WTVD) -- As the federal shutdown nears a full month, an event was held Wednesday to deliver essential goods to furloughed employees.

On Wednesday, the non-profit Diaper Bank of NC held a giveaway for impacted workers, distributing diapers, baby formula wipes and more to those who showed a valid ID. Founder and CEO Michelle Schaefer told ABC11 they were trying to prevent parents from making impossible choices.

"Things are more expensive and families are struggling just to afford the most basic items for themselves and for their children," Schaefer said.

While diapers are not SNAP-eligible, they're an expensive essential for families across the state, costing more than $100 per month per baby. Formula also runs more than $100 per month per baby. With SNAP benefits set to lapse on November 1 amid the shutdown, more disruptions for at-need families could be coming.

"These are families who are already struggling to pay their rent, pay their utilities, make ends meet," said Katie Lowek, executive director of the Raleigh-based non-profit Diaper Train. "And now if we make cuts to SNAP and WIC, that little money that they may have had is going to have to go to groceries, diapers, formula. Money that they don't actually have it's not going to stretch across."

Diaper Train is another non-profit that helps offset the high cost burden for families across the Triangle. She says the need has never been greater.

"We're struggling to keep up with the need. We're all wondering how we're going to keep up with the need. So when we see cuts to SNAP and WIC it's really concerning because we know we can't keep up with that," Lowek said.

According to Lowek, tens of thousands of families just in Wake County alone rely on SNAP and WIC to purchase baby food and formula. This week, President Trump told reporters on Air Force One that Congress would find a way to fund SNAP in November, but did not provide specifics.