PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Sen. Susan Collins has joined a bipartisan push to provide millions of dollars in emergency money to help get diapers to families during the coronavirus pandemic.

Collins, a Maine Republican, joined a coalition that wants to pass the COVID-19 Diaper Assistance Act. The proposal would provide $200 million for diaper assistance.

Collins said the pandemic has created high need for services from diaper banks. Even before the pandemic, the banks were able to meet only about 5% of diaper needs, she said.

“Diaper banks play a critical role in our communities by helping families keep their babies healthy and safe,” Collins said. “These nonprofits distribute tens of millions of diapers annually, but the pandemic and the ensuing economic crisis have created unprecedented demand for these services.”

The proposers of the diaper act said nonprofit groups alone can’t fully address the growing need for diapers during the pandemic.