Bill Bolling

Founder and Executive Director, Atlanta Community Food Bank
Atlanta, Georgia

In 1979, Bill founded Atlanta Community Food Bank to serve people in need throughout his community. Helping 58,900 people each week, it gives out almost 2 million pounds of groceries, paper goods and hygiene items a month—including diapers—through 700 nonprofit partner agencies. "We've been handing out diapers since the beginning," says Bill. "They're one of the most critical things people need."

While a small number of the diapers distributed by Atlanta Community Food Bank are purchased, most are donated—largely through salvage. These are diapers that can't be sold because they're not perfect or have damaged boxes. Staff and volunteers go through each box to separate the diapers that can't be used from ones with minor defects, such as an off-pattern.

Bill says the greatest difference giving out diapers makes in his community is that, without this expense, social service agencies can provide more services like counseling, education and babysitting for moms in homeless shelters so they can go to work. Bill states: "Families in need, they need everything."

He believes that Every Little Bottom will help Atlanta Community Food Bank fulfill its mission by providing improved access to this basic need--diapers. And, he hopes the Every Little Bottom Program will help educate, raise consciousness and get more people involved on a national and local level.

In addition to his work with the Atlanta Community Food Bank, Bill is a frequent speaker on topics related to hunger, poverty, regionalism, affordable housing and public policy reform. "Diapers are empowering," he says. "With them, moms know that they can take care of children and keep them healthy. If you don't answer the need for diapers, more issues are created that may escalate—like health problems, stress, and tension when kids cry all the time."