Minnesota puts $1.1M toward diapers as more families turn to help

Standing in the diaper aisle at Target with her 10-week-old daughter, Oona, in her arms, new mom Megan Pellettiere knows how quickly a pack of diapers can disappear.

“You don’t realize they go through like eight to 12 diapers in one day,” Pellettiere said.

The price was another surprise.

“That was unexpected to see how expensive they were,” she said.

It’s an expense thousands of Minnesota families are struggling to afford. Nearly half of Minnesota families with young children cannot afford enough diapers, according to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), and more than 125,000 Minnesota children ages 0-3 experience diaper need.

Minnesota has put about $1.1 million in public money to get diapers to families over the past ...