A few months ago, I wrote an article in this space about the subject of “period poverty” and our desire at United Way to take aim at this problem locally. Today I will give you an exciting update! But for starters, let us do a quick refresher on what “period poverty” is, why it is important, and what we hope to accomplish.

The term “period poverty” refers to the fact that it is difficult and expensive for women, and in the US particularly young women, to afford the proper products for good menstrual hygiene. Many of you might be aware that items such as tampons and pads can be expensive, and that these items also are not typically covered by programs like SNAP (food stamps). In the United States, estimates are that there are twenty-five million or more women living in poverty, yet these social support programs do not cover basic menstrual products. Furthermore, estimates are that at least 11% of young women report missing school because they do not have access to basic menstrual products, and some 86% of people report that they know at least one person who has missed school because they do not have the items they need to properly manage their menstrual cycle.

In addition to the financial constraints mentioned above, there is still to this day a significant element of stigma associated with menstruation, even though this is basic biology in action. Unfortunately, many young women feel shame and embarrassment, so are afraid to ask their parents or others to provide them with basic menstrual products when the time comes. As a result, they might use alternative approaches, like tissues or towels, and might get infections from these unsanitary practices. I have personally had conversations with guidance counselors locally who have described exactly this problem to me, with girls doing unsafe things or missing days of school. All because they do not have easy, affordable access to basic supplies.

Lastly, on the subject of stigma, if you don’t believe that this is the case, then let me share with you that the last time I wrote an article on this subject I got feedback from folks on social media indicating that they thought it was either gross or creepy (or both) that a middle age male would be discussing this subject. Hmmm… sounds like we want to keep it a secret or something that only people talk about in hushed tones? Well, that just makes me want to discuss the subject more loudly, as a husband and father of a young woman, and as a person who happens to care about the other half of humanity.

OK, so let me hop off my soapbox to tell you what we are doing about this problem. Our wonderful team of volunteers — including Emily Carrera, Rachel Caliguiri, Lis Vilar-Richards, Padmaja Kunapareddy and, Sophie Kingston along with our Volunteer Director, Sara Ceaser – produced the idea to partner with the best local organization for empowering young girls and women, Girls Incorporated. Their concept was to put in place a “period pantry” fully stocked with the items needed, and they decided to call it “Rosie’s Pantry,” after the famous Rosie the Riveter. You might ask why they chose Rosie for this theme… well according to the Nashua Telegraph from a few years ago “The striking pose of a dirty-faced Mary Doyle Keefe, adorned in denim overalls with a riveting gun across her lap and her loafer atop of a copy of Mein Kampf, has served as a symbol of female empowerment and patriotism since it graced the cover of the Saturday Evening Post in May 1943. Keefe, a former Nashua resident, once said there was a quiet and humbling pride she felt as a retired dental hygienist to receive the immortal depiction as Rosie the Riveter, the folksy icon that displayed the strength of women in the country during the war effort.” Who knew that Nashua had a connection to this most iconic symbol of what we would today call “Girl Power?” So, Rosie’s Pantry was born!

Since coming up with the idea, our intrepid team of volunteers came up with the funds for the pantry, ran several supply drives, developed an Amazon Wish List for items needed, designed the cabinet which became the pantry, and I’m so proud to say, officially cut the ribbon this past Thursday on Rosie’s Pantry, which is now accessible to the public at the Girls Inc. location on Burke Street here in Nashua!

What is next for the Rosie’s Pantry project? Well, we know that making these supplies accessible to young girls in schools will be critical, and not everyone will be able to get to the actual pantry location. So, our goal is to continue collecting supplies and donations on a regular basis sufficient to making menstrual products available in the Middle Schools and High Schools in our communities. Most of these schools already have food pantries, clothing pantries, and other resources available, so it is really just a matter of making sure we can maintain a constant source of supply. If you’d like to learn more about the project and / or make a financial donation, you can do so at our Facebook fundraiser for the next two weeks at https://www.facebook.com/donate/675736313488258/ The nice thing about Facebook fundraisers is that 100% of the proceeds go to the nonprofit, so it’s a great way to give!

Just to sum up, occasionally I get involved with a project which is a little bit outside of my own personal comfort zone. As a man, I readily admit that the subject of period poverty and the project we have designed to address this problem is a little bit uncomfortable. That uncomfortable feeling though actually tells me that this is EXACTLY the right project to be working on. Sometimes this is what it means to be an ally. So, if you feel like this project is worthy, and if it makes you feel uncomfortable in the least, then I invite you to join me in supporting Rosie’s Pantry, because GREAT THINGS HAPPEN WHEN WE LIVE UNITED!

Mike Apfelberg is president of United Way of Greater Nashua.