Our Story
Gentle Love Diaper Pantry was founded in June of 2020 by Kyle Zingler, then a sophomore at Manchester High School, with the support of his classmates Alexandra Hamza, Jabari Murphy, and his sister Julia Zingler and her close friend, Sylvia Squatrito.
One day in early April 2020, Kyle’s mother, who works for Vernon Public Schools, expressed her struggles connecting a mother in a domestic violence incident with diapers. Kyle was motivated to solve this injustice after learning that there were no diaper or baby supply pantries accessible to families in his community. Diapers had also been hard to come by due to material shortages and disruptions within the supply chain. Additionally, federal assistance programs like SNAP and WIC do not cover or defray the cost of diapers which amount to significant expense for families, costing on average $70-80 a month per a child.
He held his first diaper drive on June 11, 2020 which collected over 17,000 diapers and since then the initiative has grown into a full scale, youthled nonprofit with diapers being distributed through seven community partners . Over 207,000 diapers have been distributed to marginalized, low income families. However, our work is only beginning.
Youth Board Directors
Kyle Zingler
Kyle (Ex-Officio, Founder and Chief Operating Officer) is a freshman at Fordham University and a graduate of Manchester High School. During his time at MHS, he was a member of SEAT (Student Equity and Advisory Team), the FA Verplanck Chapter of the National Honor Society, the Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. He also participated in year round productions with CAST Children's Theatre and obtained the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 27. His Eagle project involved reorganizing CAST's workshop space and constructing a triangular loft. Kyle strives to give back wherever possible and is driven to resolve the injustices he witnesses affecting others, whether that be in his hometown of Manchester or in the Bronx.
Sylvia Squarito
Sylvia (Secretary and Vice Chair) is a senior at Manchester High School.. Sylvia currently serves as the chair of the Social Interactions and Community Outreach committee of the Student Equity Advisory Team. Additionally, she is an active member of the FA Verplanck Chapter of the National Honor Society. Outside of MHS, she is a commissioner on the Manchester Youth Commission, which gives youth a voice in municipal government. Sylvia is happy and eager to further the organization's endeavors.
Jabari Murphy
Jabari Murphy (Board Director at Large) is a freshman at Temple University and graduate of Manchester High School. Jabari plays the alto saxophone and was involved in the music program at Manchester High School, performing with the Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Marching Band. At Temple he is a proud member of the Diamond Marching Band and plans to major in Mechanical Engineering. While home from college, he remains a frequent volunteer at Center Church’s Soup Kitchen in Hartford. Jabari sees great value in supporting families with diapers.
Julia Zingler
Julia (Chair) is a senior at Manchester High School and the Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. Julia loves to dance and has been dancing at Northstar Academy for twelve years. She is a member of the dance competition team and a teaching assistant. Additionally, she participated in CAST Children’s Theatre productions for six years. Julia loves to help others and is excited to be a part of this organization.