With 2 in 5 people struggling to purchase period products due to lack of income, the United Way of the River Cities set out to tackle an unmet need in the community.
Over the past month, UWRC has collected donations of menstrual products for Project Period., an initiative to provide hygiene supplies to those in need.
Thanks to an outpouring of community and sponsor support, UWRC was able to collect more than 38,000 tampons, pads, liners and wipes to build approximately 800 one-month supply hygiene kits to be distributed in its six-county service area during Week of Action.
Other items, such as canvas pouches and gallon-sized bags were also donated. Aetna Better Health of WV also donated 500 wipes, toothbrushes and floss to be added.
“Through conversations with United Way Funded Partners, our staff identified a growing need for feminine hygiene products across our region and saw an opportunity to rally the community to help meet that need,” said Jedd Flowers, UWRC executive director. “The response has been overwhelming! Because of the tremendous support Project Period. has received from donors and volunteers, we are thrilled to be able to help meet this crucial, immediate health need for women and girls across our six-county United Way service area.”
Week of Action begins Monday, June 17 through Saturday, June 22. Each day of the week, volunteers will gather at designated nonprofits to assemble the menstrual hygiene kits. The kits will remain at those nonprofits to be distributed to their clients. Surplus kits will also be distributed to other agencies.
“As someone that has dealt with the shame and insecurity of not having these products when you need them, I want to do what I can to ensure less people find themselves in a similar situation,” said Stacey Norman, UWRC’s community impact coordinator. “There is a critical need for period supplies in the counties we serve, and I’m grateful that because of this Week of Action initiative, fewer members of our community will have to miss work, school, or doctor’s appointments because they don’t have a basic necessity.”
The 2024 Week of Action schedule is as follows:
- Monday, June 17 — 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Lincoln County Family Resource Network;
- Tuesday, June 18 — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Wayne County Family Resource Network and 2-4 p.m. at Backpack Buddies in Ironton;
- Wednesday, June 19 — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at God’s Hands at Work Pantry in Gallia County;
- Thursday, June 20 — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at United Way of the River Cities’ offices;
- Friday, June 21 — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Mason County Family Resource Center; and
- Saturday, June 22 — 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at S. Peter’s Episcopal Community Outreach.
In addition to the hundreds of items donated by community members through URWC’s Amazon Wishlist, Project Period. was sponsored by the OVP Foundation, a microgrant from Huntington City Councilwoman Ally Layman, and personal injury attorney Chad Barry.
For more information on donating supplies or joining a kit-building party, visit unitedwayrivercities.org/week-of-action/
