More than $9,700 in period supplies and money set aside for that purpose will be going into the Central Alabama community, as a result of a donation drive held in March by United Way of Central Alabama (UWCA).
Developed in recognition of Women’s History Month and led by United Way Hands On with the support of Women United, the drive brought in 31,597 individual supplies valued at $8,367, with an additional $1,360 received in financial contributions.
The campaign was a huge team effort, pulling in support from individual donors, as well as corporate partners, United Way partner agencies and UWCA staff, said Rachael Upton, Director of United Way Hands On.
“We want to thank everyone from across our community who donated supplies, money or time to this effort,” Upton said. “Period poverty is a significant issue for people throughout Central Alabama, and it is truly inspiring to see individuals and companies rally around this issue.”
On top of donations, volunteers from Women United were critical in the process of preparing the supplies for distribution. Val Williams, who recently spent time packing the supplies on the UWCA campus, said it’s easy to put herself in the shoes of someone who might need period products but can’t access them.
“I think it’s important because periods are something that happen monthly and something that you know you’re going to need help with,” Williams said. She said that she could easily understand how feeling like you don’t have what you need could be depressing.
Sallie Johnson, a Tocqueville Society donor who heads the James Milton and Sallie R. Johnson Foundation with her husband, also volunteered to pack supplies. She underscored the importance of helping out people in period poverty.
“It’s not just a need. It’s an imperative need. It’s a basic need, and people don’t realize it,” Johnson said. “But young girls and women have to have these products, and it would be horrible to not have them.”
This Period Supply Drive is one of the many ways UWCA seeks to support and improve community health and well-being in Central Alabama. For more information about our work in this area, visit https://www.uwca.org/impact/community-health.