CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Diaper Bank of North Carolina is expanding with a location in Charlotte.

What You Need To Know

• 1 in 3 families need diaper assistance
• The Diaper Bank of North Carolina uses partnerships with other assistance programs to eliminate barriers while distributing diapers
• 76% of the families the bank helps works one to three jobs

The Diaper Bank already has locations in the Triangle, Triad and Lower Cape Fear region. Michelle Old, the founder, started the business in 2013 and says one in three families are in need of diaper assistance.

"There's a misconception about poverty in our community. That it's someone that doesn't care enough, isn't motivated enough or doesn't work hard enough, and that's exactly the opposite of what we see," Old said. "We see families that care deeply for their children, that work extremely hard and still cannot afford the most basic needs."

Old says when families have to choose between buying food or diapers, they will likely choose food and make a diaper stretch as long as they can.

Since the founding date, the diaper bank has distributed more than 13 million diapers. Old says since food assistance programs don't cover diapers, it's often a gap that still needs to be met.

Avery Payne is the director of the Charlotte Diaper Bank branch. 

Payne grew up in Charlotte, and says as a kid he didn't realize how much he benefited from services nonprofits provided. Now, he's giving back to the community in the same way it gave to him.

The Diaper Bank uses community partners like Loaves & Fishes to distribute their products. Old says they want to eliminate barriers by taking the diapers to a place where families already go for other assistance.