Dozens of Monthly Menstrual Kits Offer Dignity to Women Served by MHA

For women challenged by homelessness, poverty or respite crisis, having a period is more than a hassle. It’s a financial burden. Basic menstrual hygiene products are costly, so it’s especially hard for women struggling to support themselves and their families. But pads and tampons are deemed “non-essential” by the federal government, which means they are not covered by safety net programs such as SNAP and WIC. 

The Zonta Clubs in Western Massachusetts are helping to address these challenges through The Period Project (#ThePeriodProject). Local Zonta Club members collect donations and supply menstrual hygiene products to local shelters, food banks and other nonprofit organizations, including MHA. Recently, Zonta Clubs in Western Mass donated supplies for Good To Go, an initiative of MHA that supplies individuals served by the organization with basic personal care items, such as soap, shampoo, a toothbrush, toothpaste, undergarments and socks—and, for women and teen girls, period supplies. 

“MHA is honored to partner with Zonta in delivering period supplies to women in need,” said Kimberley A. Lee, VP Resource Development & Branding for MHA. “MHA’s Good To Go initiative makes an important difference in the lives of vulnerable people, and with these period supplies we’re better able to serve women and teen girls with basic, crucial personal care items that people don’t always think to donate.”

“Our organization is in 68 countries worldwide but locally our focus is on women in need,” said Mary Knight, Communications Director for Zonta Clubs in Western Mass. “Given the pandemic and current economic hardships, the need for women is more dire than ever. Because SNAP and WIC can’t be used to buy feminine products, often that means women without means can’t go to work and teens can’t go to school because they lack protection. It’s humiliating and unfair. The Period Project was created to raise awareness and to collect donations of money and products to make a difference. For women in need, period supplies give them dignity and one less thing to worry about.”

 

Learn more at www.zontaqv.org/period