The Old School Lunch

Every other day, volunteers come by our office to drop off donations. Blankets, clothes and kitchen items make up most of the stuff. However, once in a while (when they actually read our website and look at the type of donations we’re in need of) folks donate hygiene items or (if they’re really ambitious) hygiene kits for our clients. It’s usually a ziplock baggy with maybe a toothbrush, bar of soap, a travel thing of shampoo, etc. Yet without fail, donations like those never come with tampons or pads. They’ll throw in q-tips or mouthwash–even conditioner, but they forget the one thing that half of the world’s population uses. It’s yet another form of the sort of male-privileged and male-centered approach of social services and specifically, the cultural attitude when it comes to homeless and low-income folks.

Which is why something like this is very important.

“Women’s shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads
monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses for “everyday
necessities” such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the
most BASIC needs is overlooked: feminine hygiene products.

I just did this and it was just a click! Choose your state then click on the
heart. Take a moment to give something to someone who needs it.”