Focus Series: Helping Rhode Islanders – Project Undercover

Project Undercover is committed to the idea that every kid has the right to a clean, dry bottom, and the generosity of people like you helps us achieve that. They provide diapers, socks, underwear, and baby wipes to help the approximately 45,000 children throughout Rhode Island living in poverty.

Diaper need, or the struggle to provide clean, dry diapers for all babies, is a problem for families throughout Rhode Island, but the good news is that diaper need is a problem that can be solved. With just a little effort, you can make a real impact on the lives of Rhode Islanders.

Project Undercover collects and distributes these items to more than two-dozen community action partnerships and social service agencies throughout the state based on data from the RI Department of Human Services. These partner agencies are then able to provide supplies directly to struggling families in their communities.

Project Undercover aims to meet the emergency needs of 45,000 kids by supplying 1,000,000 diapers and 180,000 pairs of underwear and socks every year.

Project Undercover began in 1992. That’s when our founder and president Richard Fleischer brought home his adopted daughter from India and, already well into his 40s, had his first experience buying diapers. He was dumbfounded by the cost and wondered how less fortunate families could manage such an expense. Convinced that the need was too great to ignore, he decided to do something about it. Through a unique partnership with the Girl Scouts of RI, Project Undercover began as a small group of volunteers organizing an annual diaper drive.

For almost 15 years they were successful in collecting and distributing thousands of diapers every April, but they realized that they were scarcely making a dent in the overall need. In 2010, Project Undercover was formalized as the 501(c)3 nonprofit that it is today. They have an active volunteer board, over two-dozen partner agencies around the state, and several annual events. Most importantly, they are the only organization in Rhode Island that works exclusively to reduce diaper need.

How You Can Help:

Holding a diaper drive at your place of business, community organization, neighborhood center, etc. is an effective and engaging way to collect vital supplies for kids living in poverty. We accept new, unopened diapers (all sizes), children’s socks and underwear (all sizes), and baby wipes. Community efforts like these help us both spread our message and fulfill our mission. If you would like to host or promote a drive, please contact us at 401-871-5866 or go to:  http://www.projectundercover.org/