Provided/Volunteers Mike Schuessler of Margate and Nina Myers of Egg Harbor Township help collect donations for the “Great Big Period Product Drive” being conducted during April by the Community FoodBank of New Jersey Southern Branch and Women Fighting Hunger.
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP – To address an often hidden public health issue, the Community FoodBank of New Jersey is launching a monthlong statewide campaign to fight period poverty.
During the month of April, the #GreatBigPeriodProductDrive will raise awareness and collect hygiene supplies and funds to address a problem faced by thousands of New Jersey residents. The foodbank’s Women Fighting Hunger volunteers are spearheading the campaign.
Lack of access to period supplies due to financial limitations, known as period poverty, often results in stress, and time lost from school and work. According to a survey by U by Kotex®, more than two in five people with periods say they have struggled to access period products. The Alliance for Period Supplies estimates that one in four teens has missed class for lack of a maxi pad or tampon.
“Our mission involves not just providing food but also access to critical resources, like hygiene supplies,” FoodBank President and CEO Carlos Rodriguez said. “Combating period poverty is closely related to our core function of fighting hunger. Period supplies are not covered by most federally funded public assistance programs, and with tight budgets, neighbors in need often struggle to afford them.”
The drive will run through April, and individuals, groups, and companies are invited to join in the effort by conducting their own in-person or virtual drives. Most needed items include regular maxi pads, super maxi pads and panty liners. All items must be new and in original packaging. Because of the foodbank’s extensive buying power, cash donations to the drive will have a powerful impact. A $25 donation can provide a year’s worth of maxi pads for someone in need.
Drop off locations include AtlantiCare HealthPlex, Atlantic City; AtlanticCare LifeCenter, Egg Harbor Township; CFBNJ-Southern Branch Community Assistance Pantry, Egg Harbor Twp.; Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, Margate; Bethel Commandment Church of the Living God of New Jersey, Whitesboro; Caring For Kids, Cape May Court House; Salvation Army, Bridgeton.
For more information or to run your own drive, call CFBNJ at 609-383-8843. Online donations can be made at: https://give.cfbnj.org/team/414820.
