Lydia O’Regan is stepping away as the organizer of the Halifax Diaper Bank in September. The diaper bank is expected to reopen in the New Year. Photo by George MyrerArticle contentThe founder of the Halifax Diaper Bank announced that she will close the volunteer service in September.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentLydia O’Regan, who opened the Diaper Bank out of her Clayton Park apartment last August, announced on social media that she was pregnant and the rigours of keeping up with the service were becoming a struggle.Article contentArticle contentHealth concerns were top of mind for O’Regan, who said she dealt with postpartum anxiety after the birth of her son, now two and a half years old.Article contentArticle content“It was a really big decision that I hummed and thought about for a long time,” said O’Regan. “As soon as I realized I was pregnant, that is the reason why I have to give it up.Article content“I knew that for me, having a toddler and a newborn and knowing how hard it is, I knew I can’t put the diaper bank on my plate as well, because the diaper bank deserves to be run by someone who is completely in it. I could foresee the future for my own self-care and for the health of my family, I thought this was the best decision to just back away.”Article contentO’Regan said she has been filling approximately five diaper orders a day for parents in need since opening in August 2025. She estimates that she spends 30-40 hours a week on the diaper bank.Article contentSuccession planArticle contentAccustomed to filling in the gaps for people’s diaper needs, O’Regan began working on a succession plan for a takeover of the service. The diaper bank, which closes on Sept. 5, is a full-time volunteer undertaking and the Halifax mom knew that finding a devoted successor would not be an easy task.Article contentArticle contentBut as luck would have it, a connection O’Regan made in Fredericton as part of a ‘diaper collective throughout the Maritimes’ told her that she was relocating to Dartmouth in early 2027 and would take over the service.Article contentJill Cross, who opened the Fredericton Diaper Bank, will take over the service in the new year. A start date will be announced on the Halifax Diaper Bank Facebook page.Article content“When I asked Jill if she would be interested in taking over completely and being the leader of the Halifax Diaper Bank, she was thrilled and just super eager,” said O’Regan.Article content“She’s so motivated, she has experience, she knows the kind of requests that come in, she’s really a great fit.Article content“I’m super happy to have her join.”Article contentHow it startedArticle contentO’Regan is thrilled that diaper service will reopen. When she lived in Toronto, she used the service there with her newborn.Article contentWhen she landed in Halifax, she looked for a place to donate her unused diapers and discovered that there wasn’t a diaper bank, so O’Regan stepped up to organize.
Halifax Diaper Bank to temporarily close in September
