RIVER FALLS – Four years ago, River Falls Rotarian Linda Yde heard a story that made her spring into action. It was about a mother who had to ration her baby’s diapers because their family …
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RIVER FALLS – Four years ago, River Falls Rotarian Linda Yde heard a story that made her spring into action. It was about a mother who had to ration her baby’s diapers because their family didn’t have the money to buy what they needed. They had enough for one in the morning, one in the afternoon and one at night. During an appointment with a United Way case worker, the baby had to stay in his soiled diaper because there wasn’t enough.
“It almost made me cry. And then I thought, ‘Linda, you have got to do something about this.’ That’s what inspired me to start the diaper drive,” Yde said.
The River Falls Rotary is collecting diapers and baby wipes to restock the United Way St. Croix and Red Cedar Valleys Diaper Bank through Oct. 31. All diapers and wipes collected are distributed to families in need in Pierce and St. Croix counties.
“I coordinate all the diaper collection and United Way distributes them. This is our fourth year of working together to do that,” Yde said.
All River Falls School District schools host diaper drives throughout the month. Donors can also drop off diapers/baby wipes at four River Falls locations:
For convenience, donors can also scan the QR code above which leads them directly to Walmart.com. Orders are shipped directly to the United Way Diaper Bank, then distributed to Pierce and St. Croix families.
Yde and Diaper Bank Manager Betsy Byker work together to collect donations at the schools for transport to the diaper bank. This week, the Renaissance Academy is up.
“We space out our school drives because Betsy and can’t be in two places at once,” Yde laughed. “They are kind of staggered. The students and parents are really supportive.”
Yde launched the drive in 2023 with the support of Ezekiel Lutheran Church. That first year, they donated 10,000 diapers and 146 packages of wipes.
From there, the drive has continued to grow each year with the community’s support. Local elementary schools were invited to participate in 2024, which brought the collection numbers to 47,665 diapers in 2024 and 58,040 diapers and 1,115 packages of wipes in 2025 (River Falls High and Meyer Middle schools joined the effort in 2025). This year, the Renaissance Academy will contribute as well.
“Over the past three years, our diaper drive has contributed just over 115,000 diapers to the diaper bank,” Yde said. “Last year we contributed 75% of their inventory. We’ve done well.”
Yde hopes to collect over 60,000 diapers this year, but she also realizes money is tight for many families.
“The natural progression for me is hoping to go over 60,000, but I’m well aware of the struggles with affordability that all of us Americans are facing,” Yde said. “I’m just hoping we can restock the diaper bank’s inventory.”
Yde has also enlisted the help of a recent college graduate to promote the drive on social media. Search for RF Diaper Drive on Facebook and Instagram.
The diaper drive/baby wipes drive runs the entire month. Any donation is appreciated, Yde said. “Both of my daughters preceded me in death. That leaves a huge hole in a mother’s heart. Helping these babies helps put a little salve on that wound. I know my daughters are thinking, ‘Way to go, Mom,’” she added.
