Even the strongest heroes need the right gear to take on the world. For millions of girls, that “gear” is something many of us take for granted.
Every month, two billion people around the world menstruate. While menstruation is a normal process, many women and girls still cannot afford menstrual products or have access to proper sanitation to manage their periods. This results in missed school days, health issues, and lack of freedom.
This year’s Lenten Project is dedicated to supporting Days for Girls International – an organization that increases access to menstrual care and education. Days for Girls provides washable pads and kits for girls that can last for up to 3 years. Part of these kits includes clean, new cotton underwear for the washable pad. By collecting cotton underwear through our donation drive, we are empowering young women and girls to live full, free, and happy lives.
When a girl has the right “gear,” she is empowered to be the hero of her own story. All superheroes need underwear, and every girl deserves to reach her full potential. Period.
Donations will be collected in the Inner Court from February 19 to March 20. Our goal is to collect 600 packs of underwear!
How can you contribute?
Donation Drive (all members of our community)
New packs of 100% cotton or cotton blend underwear, sizes 12-16 (girls) or sizes 5-7 (women). The types of underwear we are collecting are classic briefs, high cut briefs, full briefs, hipster, or bikini. The pack must be brand new and unopened. Please note that we prefer no images in order to be culturally sensitive (i.e., animals, eyes, ‘girly glam’, words, food). You can purchase packs of underwear via our Amazon Wishlist!
**SPECIAL COLLECTION DAYS**
- March 12: St. Joseph’s Day Liturgy – We will bless all the underwear we’ve collected so far at our liturgy!
- March 20: Final day to donate on the day of the Break the Chain Dance!
LTAs (students, faculty, staff)
- Sweet Treat Sale on February 26 @ Lunch - SLC will be hosting a sweet treat sale outside the Jean Hofmann Center for Innovation to fundraise for Days for Girls International. If you bring in a pack of underwear, you can get a free treat!
- SLC Table at DEI Cultural Festival on March 18 - Visit the SLC table to learn more about period poverty and advocate for that issue.
- Celebration Day! TBD - If we reach our goal of 600 packs of underwear, we will have a celebration event during the week of March 23–27. Stay tuned for details!
Further Education
Here are some links to learn more about period poverty:
- Class Meeting Kahoot on February 20 (students only)
- Period Poverty: A Neglected Public Health Issue - PMC
- Period Poverty – why millions of girls and women cannot afford their periods | UN Women – Headquarters
- Period Poverty and Stigma
- Period. End of Sentence. | FULL FEATURE | Netflix (Rated TV-PG, parental guidance suggested)