Did you know one-in-five teens struggle to afford period products and have missed a day of school due to that? And 46 percent of low-income women have had to choose between buying period products or a meal?

To help fight period poverty in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott, Main Street Community Foundation’s Women & Girls Fund organized a collection of feminine hygiene products.

Items were collected before the Fund’s annual Wonder of Women (WOW) event through a dropbox at the Foundation’s office and an Amazon Wish List; attendees to the WOW event also brought items that evening.

“We wanted to do even more to help local women and girls,” said Jeanine Audette, co-Chair of the WOW event. “These necessary products are not covered by WIC and SNAP benefits, and schools do not always have access to extra products, especially ones that may fit teen girls.”

The feminine hygiene products were distributed to schools, shelters and human service agencies.

“Dozens and dozens of people donated hundreds of items, and we are so thankful,” stated Audette.

The Women & Girls Fund was established in 2001 as a community-based endowment of the Main Street Community Foundation. Over the past 20 years, the Women & Girls Fund has awarded over $620,000 in grants and immediate response funds to improve the conditions and opportunities for women and girls in the communities of Bristol, Burlington, Plainville, Plymouth, Southington and Wolcott.