End Period Poverty and Give Girls, Women Hope

While the coronavirus pandemic will impact us all in some way, people already living in desperate situations will have a more difficult time coping and avoiding the spread.

That's why now is the most essential time for us to react and support basic needs of teenage girls who no longer have resources through school, as districts have closed because of the pandemic.

We're working with community partners already distributing other basic needs to reach those most in need and minimize contact points. We are currently active alongside several school districts and community pantries in distributing period product needs through our On the Dot program.

For example, we have supplied Green Bay area schools and Oshkosh area schools with period products to distribute with the free lunch and breakfast items.

We're also in communication with other school districts and community partners to increase distributions and meet demand.Thank you for your continued support in providing essential items to teens in need, especially at these most crucial times.

Links:

• COVID-19 On the Dot Impact Report

As the coronavirus sweeps across the United States, with more cases confirmed each day in Wisconsin, we're busy supporting local needs to keep families protected. 

Our first wave of response included:

• Triple distributions of adult care essentials (Depend® or Poise®) through our community partners
• Host Senior Safety Drive-Thru Basic Needs Distributions (This was quite literally a drive-thru, where we worked to minimize any contact. We used signs and hand signals, then placed needed items into trunks/backseats of vehicles. Items distributed included incontinence supplies, toothpaste, and other hygiene basics.)
• Double diaper distributions to community partners serving medically fragile families 
• Period product distributions grab 'n go style at meal sites that are also grab 'n go 
• Potential for increased baby diaper distributions

This is a highly fluid situation, and our distribution center home, the Hope Factory, is closed to public volunteers. We're operating with a minimal staff and volunteer crew, while maintaining increased sanitation and social distancing within Hope Factory. We're also using our whole-Factory air exchange system, which completely changes air in less than three minutes. 

"Wow, Stephanie! that is so great," said Jessica Adams at Wise Women Gathering Place. "We have been working remotely from the office and meeting with clients electronically. I will share this with staff in case they have any clients with questions."

Thank you for your ongoing support, which helps make us able to respond rapidly during crisis times like these.