The Period Project
We are working on a heartfelt project to help women living in poverty deal with the monthly financial and physical burden of a period. Products are costly and are not covered by SNAP or WIC. We create “kits” for area shelters or service centers to give to women in need. Below is a list of what we’re collecting. To give, see below, we take both funds or supplies to contribute to this project.
Here is a link to our updated Amazon Wish list for products
• Boxes of Individually wrapped Pads or Tampons
• Individually Wrapped Panty Liners
• Cleansing Wipes
• Hand Sanitizers and/or Soap
• New Pairs of Underwear (Any Size)
Period Project Wish List: For convenience, we have created an Amazon Wishlist to have items sent right to us!
Online Credit Card Donation: If you would prefer to make a monetary donation, we will purchase items in short supply. Donate online, or make check out to Zonta Club of Berkshire County, and send to PO Box 2184, Lenox MA 01240.
Collection Box Word flyer or PDF Flyer versions available: You can print a letter size PDF sign for a collection box to place with permission in any public location.
Assembly of the Period Projects kits has been scheduled for Saturday March 19,2022 at 9AM Let Vickie Palardy know if you’d like to volunteer to help assemble packs.
For women living in poverty or experiencing homelessness, having a period is a significant financial burden. It is challenging for women and teens to maintain proper hygiene and dignity when basic menstrual hygiene products are so costly. Additionally, pads and tampons are considered “non-essential” by the federal government, so they are not covered by SNAP and WIC programs. Many women and teens in our community often lack consistent access to hygiene products and safe sanitary spaces. During the COVID pandemic, the need was so great that all of our supplies are gone and we are collecting again for a spring delivery.
Suit YourSelf Clothing Drive
Many people entering or re-entering the work force these days either don’t know how to dress for a job interview, or can’t afford the types of clothes that they need to make a good impression. The Suit YourSelf program is here to help – but we need your help too.
At our clothing drive, we ask you to please donate new or gently used clothing (business professional and/or neat casual) and accessories to the program so that job seeks have proper attire for both an interview and also after they receive a job offer. This is a free service and includes coaching on interview skills and fittings.
Suit YourSelf is a local initiative started in 2005 by a cooperative effort of local community organizations including Zonta of Berkshire County, the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, Berkshire Business and Professional Women, Berkshire Community Action Council, the Christian Center, Mature Workers Inc. and the Corporation for Public Management.
http://www.goodwill-berkshires.com/docum…/Suit_YourSelf.html
Caring for Our Community
At each monthly meeting, Zontians give to various organizations and committee drives to help improve the lives of women in Berkshire County. For example,
- Period Project Donations of supplies to help homeless or struggling women deal with this monthly burden.
- Food and Can Good Drive for the Christian Center of Berkshire County
- Toiletry Collection of soaps, shampoos and personal hygiene items for women in shelters or obtaining transitional assistance.
- Special Projects like the Green Baby Blanket Collection in memory of Zontian Mary Casella’s grandaughter, Ivy Russell.