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By Stephen Wilson
The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley served 60,000 people each month and distributed 9 million pounds of food last year alone.
But if you think about your trips to the grocery store, produce, dairy, and dry goods are just a few of the items you might grab as you roll down the aisles. Other items also fill your cart.
One such group of items is hygiene products, like razors, soap, shampoo, and toothpaste. For women, menstrual hygiene products are a common buy. The average woman uses 10,000-14,000 tampons over a lifetime, totally $1,800.
For low-income women, SNAP benefits don’t cover such items and food pantries don’t often receive such donations. There are few options for women who lack resources.
Nancy Walters wanted to change that. She spearheads the Easton Hunger Coalition and sought help from an engaged college student Jazmyn Ball ‘20.
“Nancy wanted to make this happen, and her passion and inspiration motivated me to take it on,” says Ball.
She organized the Menstrual Hygiene Drive, collecting products, like pads, tampons, liners, and cups, to be distributed at 11 food pantries.
Corresponding with Women’s History Month, the drive had collection sites at various academic, athletic, and residential buildings on campus.
The Council of Lafayette Women also took an interest and used two of its events to collect items and monetary donations.
In all, Ball collected 2,163 tampons, 2,260 pads, 1,002 liners, and 3 diva cups.